Forestry Department: Remove all tables and chairs from park!
CORFU. "They are not permitted in the groves," it says, "and therefore you have one month to remove them!"
And suddenly, while the discussion was about whether they would have 45 or 100 square metres of space in the park for placing tables and chairs, the Forestry Department ordered: "Pack up and leave"!
As expected, the incident alarmed the business owners, who rushed to the Municipality to find out what they should do, given that they had already submitted applications for the allocation of 45 sq.m., as stipulated in the relevant ministerial decision. In fact, these applications have already been approved by the Municipality and are only awaiting final approval from the Archaeological Service, which, based on usual practice, is expected to grant it—if it hasn't already.
The intervention by the Forestry Department came following actions by the Garitsa Residents' Association, in an effort to prevent the possible introduction of a proposal by the municipal administration to the town council, aiming to grant 100 sq.m., as had been promised to the business owners by Mayor Stefanos Poulimenos.
The Municipality faced a dilemma regarding the drafting of regulations, given the position of the Forestry Department, which—according to the residents’ association—states that only one municipal refreshment kiosk can operate in the park, and in a much smaller area than the one currently being used by businesses operating in the food and beverage sector.
At the heart of the dispute is a statement in the Forestry Department’s document—already received by municipal services and business owners—that the area is classified as urban greenery and falls under forest legislation. According to its management plan, "the placing of tables, chairs, and other structures within the park is not permitted."
Mr. Vassilakis, president of the Catering Association, who also owns a business in the area, argues that the management plan actually allows up to 45 sq.m. per business in the park, which is in direct contradiction with the Forestry Department’s document.
That document mentions that an on-site inspection was conducted by Forestry Department officials, who found violations of both the law and the approved plan, and it calls for the removal of tables, chairs, etc. from the urban green space ‘Garitsa-Anemomylos Park’ within one month (by August 10 of this year).
Alekos Vergis, president of the Garitsa Residents’ Association, when asked for comment, simply said: "We had warned them. The reopening of the issue by the mayor, with his intention to increase the allocated space to 100 sq.m. per business, opened Pandora’s box."
According to sources, the Municipality and the businesses are jointly considering appealing the Forestry Department's decision.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
