Canarian Weekly
09-11-2012, 12:40
THE new by-laws that will regulate the occupation of public spaces in Arona will focus on improving the appearance of commercial zones, to create harmony on the streets and help to increase competitiveness in the sector, while ensuring the enjoyment of the common areas in the main shopping areas for all users, according to the Planning Department.
The draft by-law includes, among other things, establishing a common ruling regarding the regulation of advertising and the use of the materials by businesses, “So that traders understand that the use of certain material is intended to create a uniform image within a narrow range of colours,” explained Arona’s Councillor for Town Planning, Carmelo Garcia. “A pedestrian street can gain a lot using the appropriate palette,” he adds.
Currently the document is in the draft stage and will be ready by December for initial approval. At that time, the public will be invited to comment, although the Council has already met with the business communities to reach a consensus.
Councillor Garcia considers that the existing regulations are now obsolete and need to be changed, “On a number of issues, not so much technical or legal, but aesthetic,” he said, especially in the tourist areas. “To develop this project we have sought maximum transparency and citizen participation.”
In this regard, the Arona Association of Merchants led by Antonio Luis Gonzalez, agrees that the private use of public areas should be regulated and that the ruling should be defined as a unified document, due to the diverse range of shops, business and hospitality, to enhance the area as a quality destination.
Regarding the management of tables and chairs on the paths, businesses generally are complying with the current ordinance, except for some specific cases. The new document states, “The rate for the occupation will not be measured in terms of the number of tables and chairs outside, but by the space that is occupied,” said the Councillor.
“Our idea is to maintain the occupancy issue in the public domain, but in the case of disciplinary action, yes, it is going to be pretty hard for those that breach the rules,” said Carmelo Garcia. Fines for extending beyond the authorised public space will range between 1,500 and 3,000 euros, and authorisation could be removed.
An entrepreneur who wants to start a business will be allowed to do so without having a license to open in hand, provided that the documentation has been submitted with the “statement of responsibility”. This is valid while processing the license and it is hoped that this will remove some of the difficulties in opening a new business.
For years, Arona has wanted to regulate the billboards that are at the entrance to Los Cristianos, but so far nothing has changed. They have long have been the subject of complaints, creating an undesirable image, many say and some of them have no municipal authorisation for use. In this regard, Garcia said next year the Council will bring in an ordinance specific to this type of advertising.
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/by-laws-tidy-local-businesses-arona/)
The draft by-law includes, among other things, establishing a common ruling regarding the regulation of advertising and the use of the materials by businesses, “So that traders understand that the use of certain material is intended to create a uniform image within a narrow range of colours,” explained Arona’s Councillor for Town Planning, Carmelo Garcia. “A pedestrian street can gain a lot using the appropriate palette,” he adds.
Currently the document is in the draft stage and will be ready by December for initial approval. At that time, the public will be invited to comment, although the Council has already met with the business communities to reach a consensus.
Councillor Garcia considers that the existing regulations are now obsolete and need to be changed, “On a number of issues, not so much technical or legal, but aesthetic,” he said, especially in the tourist areas. “To develop this project we have sought maximum transparency and citizen participation.”
In this regard, the Arona Association of Merchants led by Antonio Luis Gonzalez, agrees that the private use of public areas should be regulated and that the ruling should be defined as a unified document, due to the diverse range of shops, business and hospitality, to enhance the area as a quality destination.
Regarding the management of tables and chairs on the paths, businesses generally are complying with the current ordinance, except for some specific cases. The new document states, “The rate for the occupation will not be measured in terms of the number of tables and chairs outside, but by the space that is occupied,” said the Councillor.
“Our idea is to maintain the occupancy issue in the public domain, but in the case of disciplinary action, yes, it is going to be pretty hard for those that breach the rules,” said Carmelo Garcia. Fines for extending beyond the authorised public space will range between 1,500 and 3,000 euros, and authorisation could be removed.
An entrepreneur who wants to start a business will be allowed to do so without having a license to open in hand, provided that the documentation has been submitted with the “statement of responsibility”. This is valid while processing the license and it is hoped that this will remove some of the difficulties in opening a new business.
For years, Arona has wanted to regulate the billboards that are at the entrance to Los Cristianos, but so far nothing has changed. They have long have been the subject of complaints, creating an undesirable image, many say and some of them have no municipal authorisation for use. In this regard, Garcia said next year the Council will bring in an ordinance specific to this type of advertising.
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/by-laws-tidy-local-businesses-arona/)