Public discussion on first edition of territorial planning of Viesati rural municipality of Tukums District has commenced

The main suggestions from inhabitants during the process of Viesti rural municipality territorial research were connected with the need of setting the administrative borders of Viesati village, finding an effective utilization of the former agricultural objects, increasing the variety of public institutions in the rural municipality, and improving the quality of motor roads connected to the rural municipality (asphalt-paving of the state motor roads to Tukums and Jaunpils was mentioned most often). The inhabitants were also interested in issues connected to utilization of agricultural land, including division of land.‘’Viesati is among the smallest rural municipalities in Latvia, both in the sense of population numbers and area; therefore, the scope of development, in comparison with many other rural municipalities, is limited here. The biggest development resources in the rural municipality are forests and agricultural land. The development possibilities are diminished by the fact that the territory of the rural municipality can only be reached by unpaved roads,’’ points out Pauls Lielmanis, ‘’METRUM’’ territorial planner, Viesati rural municipality territorial planning development manager.In the developed first edition of the territorial planning, the borders of Viesati village have been determined, and two types of construction are planned in the village territory: single-family detached and semi-detached houses; and apartment buildings up to three floors. For the detached house construction territory, the minimum area of every newly developed plot is set as 1200 square metres.Utilization of the municipality’s rural land planned with and without construction. Rural territories without construction possibilities include high-quality agricultural land, which is planned to be preserved for agricultural utilization, dividing it into plots of no less than 10 ha, and not permitting dwelling house construction or afforestation. For rural land with construction possibilities, the minimum division of new plots is planned to be 2 ha. No development of new construction territories by transforming forest areas is planned.Industrial territories are planned for most of the currently unmanaged agricultural production objects – mostly in the area of former collective farms, where the old infrastructure has been preserved. The possibility of commercial activities may also be allowed in these territories. ‘’Industrial or agricultural production possibilities may also be permitted in rural lands with a construction possibility, however in this case, public discussion about the construction idea must be carried out first,’’ explains P. Lielmanis.The first edition of the planning does not prescribe a specific division of public and commercial establishment construction territories, instead offering to use this zoning for both purposes. A separate division is made only for a specific territory for construction of a sports hall and sports field, which have not existed in the rural municipality before.‘’Looking for a way to increase the local people’s attachment to their rural municipality, in the planning we brought our attention to the idea of development of public construction territories. The sports hall and sports field are planned to be used both for elementary school needs and for promoting sports events in general,’’ emphasises P. Lielmanis.To expand the recreation possibilities in Viesati village, the first edition of the planning prescribes facilitating the former creamery territory by developing a park in its place. It is planned to create places for swimming and boat docks in the banks of River Viesata, and footpaths in the river dale in the village territory. It has been proposed that the former Viesati watermill, where the Viesati power plant is currently situated, could be used not only for electricity production, but also for relaxation and recreation; for instance, a cafe could be established there.Through September 26, written suggestions on the first edition of Viesati rural municipality territorial planning 2007-2019 can be submitted to Viesati rural municipality council, in ‘’Viekaļas’’. A broader explanation of the document can also be obtained there.Viesati rural municipality territorial planning 2007-2019 is being developed by territorial planning ‘’METRUM’’ in collaboration with Viesati rural municipality council, and after its confirmation by the local government, it will serve as the basis of the rural municipality development activities during the next twelve years.