Update

Both resolutions were adopted. Fourteen councillors voted in favor, while seven abstained.

In favor:

  • Leszek Chudzik
  • Joanna Dudyńska
  • Renata Fredyk
  • Karolina Hałka
  • Łukasz Jaźwiec
  • Tomasz Ogrodnik
  • Mariusz Potyszka
  • Dawid Sarbak
  • Damian Sawczak
  • Teresa Szyjkowska
  • Stanisław Wiącek
  • Rafał Więcewicz
  • Andrzej Żuk

Abstained:

  • Piotr Klasa
  • Violetta Kurcio
  • Sylwester Łasocha
  • Urszula Magryś
  • Łukasz Molak
  • Magdalena Mucha
  • Grzegorz Przybylski
  • Katarzyna Rola.

Let us recall. On August 14, we reported that two draft resolutions concerning major housing projects on Modłowa Street (the site of the former “Piaskowiec”) had been submitted to the Bolesławiec City Council. In both cases, refusal to determine the location of the investments was proposed.

The first project provides for a maximum of 280 homes. On an area of approximately 1.6 hectares, more than 14,000 m² of residential space was planned in four nine-story buildings. The project also includes the reconstruction and adaptation of an existing building for service purposes.

The second project provides for a maximum of 300 homes. In this case, it concerns approximately 15,000 m² of residential space on an area of about 1.5 hectares, also in four nine-story buildings. In total, both projects could therefore result in as many as 580 homes.

Urban planning commission opposed

Both applications received negative opinions from the Municipal Urban Planning and Architecture Commission.

The objections included, among other things, the proximity of an operating industrial plant—a concrete plant—and the E30 railway line. The commission points to noise, vibrations, dust, a lack of suitable buffer greenery, and excessive planned development intensity.

According to the documents, transport would also be a problem. The main access route to the estate would be Modłowa Street, while access to the area depends on railway crossings.

The analyses indicate that 45 passenger trains currently travel along the E30 line each day, and the railway crossing may be closed at least 45 times daily.

The authors of the projects estimate that approximately 1,200–1,800 people could live there if both projects were carried out. At the same time, they point out that the estate would not have an independent, grade-separated connection to the external road network.

GDDKiA refused to approve the projects

The most significant obstacle, however, turned out to be the position of the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways.

GDDKiA refused to approve both projects. The documents cited, among other things, the risk of a significant increase in traffic at the intersection of national road No. 94 and Modłowa Street.

According to the analyses, the additional traffic could even lead to the intersection becoming inefficient and to a deterioration in road safety.

This position is of fundamental importance for the further proceedings. The justifications for the draft resolutions state that positive approval is a condition for issuing consent to locate the projects.

In view of GDDKiA’s refusal, the Bolesławiec City Council—according to the justifications for the drafts—cannot adopt a resolution establishing the location of these projects. The decision can therefore only consist of refusal.

In practice, this means that the concepts currently presented, providing for up to 580 homes in total, cannot receive the City Council’s approval in this form.

This does not mean, however, that the area has been excluded from residential development. The drafts indicate that the currently processed general plan provides for the development of multi-family housing there, but at a significantly lower intensity. The draft general plan provides for a maximum building height of 15 m, whereas the submitted concepts envisage buildings approximately 29 m high.

The councillors will consider the aforementioned draft resolutions at the August session. We will return to the subject.