Supplier News
Dominican Republic – Court postpones hearing on Hard Rock Dominican Republic
By Phil - 1 November 2016
The President of the Supreme Administrative Court of the Dominican Republic has postponed a request filed by local residents who have rejected the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino currently under construction in capital Santo Domingo.
The injunction was filed by residents of the neighbourhood of Piantini and surrounding areas against the urban planning department of the National District which was responsible for granting the building permit under the last administration. The court made the decision so that those living in the district would have time to become aware that a motion had been filed to suspend the building of the hotel and casino.
Locals represented by lawyer Miriam Paulino, argue that the project violates local planning provisions and Paulino has asked newly elected National District mayor David Collado to temporarily suspend the building permit which she says is riddled with irregularities. The temporary suspension of the licence will give the Mayor time to listen to local residents and experts so that the project can be cancelled.
Paulino argues that the construction violates a number of rules including irregularities over designated parking spaces. According to the permit the building will require 500 parking spaces when at least 1000 will be needed due to the size of the project according to Paulino and lack of spaces will lead to more traffic congestion in the area. In addition the zone will be negatively affected by the construction of a casino and the height of the building itself she argues.
Meanwhile Manuel FermÃn Cabral lawyer for Real Estate company Nivar, the company via which the City Council granted building permission for the project, told local press that the implementation of the project, had met with all the necessary requirements as set down by law and had been granted building permits by the City government as well as the Ministry of Tourism, The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Public Works.
Opposition to the new project has been growing since February when a committee of school staff and residents in the neighbourhood of Piantini asked the Ministry of Finance to deny a licence for the casino which will be part of the Hard Rock Hotel.
The following month a total of 3,000 families joined forces to oppose the new plans for the casino and concerned locals made the request via an open letter to Simón Lizardo, Minister of Finance. In July a number of neighbourhood councils reiterated their rejection of the Hard Rock & Casino due to the negative impact that the largest casino in the city would have on what is a primarily a residential zone. Residents reiterated in a public hearing their objection to the height and density of the construction of the new casino and hotel, a 38-story tower in an area where they say buildings may only stand at 23 stories high. If it is given the green light the establishment will have an area of 23,000 square feet, two bars, a race and sports book, 400 slot machines and 40 tables, plus a private room for high level players.
