Comments on: Environmental Tribunal Closes three Condos http://american-european.net/blogs/costa-rica-news/environmental/2008/03/19/environmental-tribunal-closes-three-condos/ Costa Rica news, information, plus real estate & investment advice Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:48:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: clima http://american-european.net/blogs/costa-rica-news/environmental/2008/03/19/environmental-tribunal-closes-three-condos/#comment-35240 clima Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:42:08 +0000 http://american-european.net/blogs/costa-rica-news/environmental/2008/03/19/environmental-tribunal-closes-three-condos/#comment-35240 As a visitor to Costa Rica, and one considering future retirement plans, one cannot be surprised by these events. My most recent trip to the Jaco area in January of 2008, left a large looming question in my mind about the environmental sustainablity of the Pacific Coast line in particular, as many areas have Condo Projects underway. In Jaco, there is currently a lot of new construction started and even more awaiting starts. Even for someone not trained in this field, its seems quite possible that these areas experiencing such growth will most definately see some negative impact on the environment. How can thousands of condo units be constructed without any improvements to the Cities own infrastructure, roads, waste management, waste disposal, drainage systems etc. Jaco alone is showing it's in need of serious clean up already, the beach areas are filthy, garbage seems to be everywhere. There appears to be a mish mash of drainage systems. Both rivers going through the city were polluted. If these cities and towns expect to draw such high prices for real estate, then where is the assurance that sufficient services are also taken into consideration. Take a look at the situation recently in the coastal city of Tamarindo. Resorts and Condo resort type projects are contaminating the water supplies, ocean, and beaches. Who's pockets are being lined ?? Where is all the money for development going? Surely its not spent on roads. We travelers come to CR for the climate and the "Pura Vida" but it seems that the Pure protion is questionable. Can the Pacific Coast endure this amount of growth without serious harm to the envirnment?? Who's really watching??? As a visitor to Costa Rica, and one considering future retirement plans,
one cannot be surprised by these events. My most recent trip to the
Jaco area in January of 2008, left a large looming question in my mind
about the environmental sustainablity of the Pacific Coast line in particular,
as many areas have Condo Projects underway. In Jaco, there is currently
a lot of new construction started and even more awaiting starts. Even for
someone not trained in this field, its seems quite possible that these areas
experiencing such growth will most definately see some negative impact
on the environment. How can thousands of condo units be constructed
without any improvements to the Cities own infrastructure, roads, waste
management, waste disposal, drainage systems etc. Jaco alone is showing
it’s in need of serious clean up already, the beach areas are filthy, garbage
seems to be everywhere. There appears to be a mish mash of drainage
systems. Both rivers going through the city were polluted. If these cities
and towns expect to draw such high prices for real estate, then where is
the assurance that sufficient services are also taken into consideration.
Take a look at the situation recently in the coastal city of Tamarindo.
Resorts and Condo resort type projects are contaminating
the water supplies, ocean, and beaches. Who’s pockets are being
lined ?? Where is all the money for development going? Surely its not
spent on roads.
We travelers come to CR for the climate and the "Pura Vida" but it seems
that the Pure protion is questionable. Can the Pacific Coast endure this
amount of growth without serious harm to the envirnment?? Who’s really
watching???

]]> By: Writer http://american-european.net/blogs/costa-rica-news/environmental/2008/03/19/environmental-tribunal-closes-three-condos/#comment-35250 Writer Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:20:07 +0000 http://american-european.net/blogs/costa-rica-news/environmental/2008/03/19/environmental-tribunal-closes-three-condos/#comment-35250 I agree 100%, I would also add that schools, hospitals, the electrical grid and many other public services must be added to support the increased population. The developers come in and make nice projects, but they don't give anything back to the community in most cases. The foreigners living here don't pay taxes, or pay very low taxes on the property. It seems to me that in this case the money hasn't gone missing, but that the government is allowing development without making sure the developers do their part to improve the infrastructure in the surrounding area. At a minimum the government should charge enough to developers to pay for enough inspectors so that there is some kind of oversight going on. Also additional staff to make the approval process go faster. I also agree that Costa Rica must maintain its image as a natural paradise. If the Pacific Coast ends up looking like South Beach or Cancun, why would anyone buy there? It is an important issue and I don't think there is enough discussion in the local communities or planning from the government. Clearly Costa Rica has always had something unique to offer and that is what makes it attractive for expats and investors. If this "pura vida" is lost I don't see it as being a good thing for the Ticos or for foreigners who have invested in property here. I agree 100%, I would also add that schools, hospitals, the electrical grid and many other public services must be added to support the increased population. The developers come in and make nice projects, but they don’t give anything back to the community in most cases. The foreigners living here don’t pay taxes, or pay very low taxes on the property.

It seems to me that in this case the money hasn’t gone missing, but that the government is allowing development without making sure the developers do their part to improve the infrastructure in the surrounding area.

At a minimum the government should charge enough to developers to pay for enough inspectors so that there is some kind of oversight going on. Also additional staff to make the approval process go faster.

I also agree that Costa Rica must maintain its image as a natural paradise. If the Pacific Coast ends up looking like South Beach or Cancun, why would anyone buy there? It is an important issue and I don’t think there is enough discussion in the local communities or planning from the government.

Clearly Costa Rica has always had something unique to offer and that is what makes it attractive for expats and investors. If this “pura vida” is lost I don’t see it as being a good thing for the Ticos or for foreigners who have invested in property here.

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