San Pedranos protest hotel development
The concept of greater autonomy for Belize’s villages, towns and city is one endorsed by both political parties and numerous civic organizations. And one municipality that exercises its autonomy more seriously than most is the town of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. For several months a controversy has been raising the island’s political temperature as a developer has chosen to ignore the town’s planning regulations and butt heads with officials and townspeople alike. This past weekend News Five’s Janelle Chanona hopped a flight out to the caye and found herself in the thick of it.
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye: The tourist capital of Belize. A place where sea, sand and sun mix with reef, rum and relaxation. The result is a little piece of paradise.
Janelle Chanona
“But paradise does have its problems and for many people in San Pedro, the biggest one is right here.”
It may look like one of a dozen building sites splattered over the fast growing community but the project known as fountainblue has got some San Pedranos up in arms.
Lisa Guerrero, Manager, Holiday Hotel
“I am very angry and vehemently object to people who come to our community and blatantly flaunt our codes and guidelines and refuse time and time again to obey them.”
Susan Garcia, Tourist
“My family and I hope that the democratic process works and that the community’s desire to keep San Pedro, a place that’s unique.”
What Lisa Guerrero and Susan Garcia are objecting to is the construction of a four-story hotel. That’s one story more than tradition allows. Where the project’s owner Simon Harmouche sees a world class resort, his detractors see the first step of a process which will one day have their peaceful village looking like Cancun. To prevent that eventuality the town created a master plan in 1989, which has largely been followed. When Harmouche, who came to San Pedro from Lebanon in the mid 1980’s, began building without regard to the plan, a town meeting was called to stop him.
Q: “What do you see as the problem with this, some people might say it’s just another building. What does it matter whether it’s three stories or four stories. What is the main problem you all have with this building?”
Einer Gomez, San Pedro Product Development Committee
“I think that big buildings or huge structures will change the social impact and the whole development of the island that will maybe not attract tourists anymore to come to the island.”
The master plan, which limits building height to 38 feet, generally three floors, was never legalized, but it has been followed by developers over the years as being in the best interest of the island’s future. Harmouche cannot be held responsible for any violations of the document, but he can be held responsible for violating San Pedro building codes. And he has to explain why the records for the plans he says were approved by former Mayor Manuel Heredia, cannot be found, or why the Housing and Planning Department has no record of his application, his blueprints or his building permit.
Patty Arceo, Area Representative
“What is happening is that this gentleman is just trying to test the laws of Belize and at the same time breaching the Ambergris Caye Master Plan.”
To try and stop the construction, on June 6th, Housing and Planning officials issued a stop order until the matter could be resolved. Harmouche ignored the order. One week later, the Belize City Central Housing and Planning Department, sent another stop order, this time to both the contractor and the building’s owner. Again the order was ignored. Harmouche denies he was ever told to stop construction.
Simon Harmouche, Hotel Developer
“I compromised with them on the four stories, not to build the four stories to go on as it is. No such thing was mentioned to stop the project.”
Q: “You have not received any letters?”
Simon Harmouche
“No, I did not receive any letters to stop the project.
Housing and Planning in San Pedro said they sent one and then Central Housing said they sent one. They sent the letters but when we told them we have a letter that was approved and we showed them the letter was approved.”
Q: “Are you going to obey if they send another letter to you saying that you’re to stop building? Are you going to stop building?”
Simon Harmouche
“I cannot make no comment on this right now because we had agreed.
Harmouche’s building approval letter is dated just before last year’s elections and some San Pedranos feel that Harmouche was using his political ties to get what he wanted. It is also widely believed that he contributed heavily to the P.U.P. campaign in last year’s elections.
Q: “People are saying, because they are still thinking that four stories are going to be built, that the only reason this project has gotten as far as it has is because of your political ties. How do you respond to that?”
Simon Harmouche
“No, that’s nothing to do with political ties at all, at all. When I apply for this, this was approved before any… I don’t have any connection with any… I mean my political ties, I am friends with everyone but I’m not really… Political ties have nothing to do with this.”
The San Pedro Town Board says they plan to seek a court injunction that would allow police officers to halt the project. Harmouche insists his agreement with the former Mayor is legal and he is willing to bet more than eight million Belize dollars to turn his dream into reality.
Simon Harmouche
“Well my message to the public is that, you know, I am one of them. I’ve been here 15 years; I’m a Belizean; I’m a San Pedrano. I’m putting my life, as I said before, in this place. We’re here as one family, as one group and we help each other and we work with each other and we wish success for each other.”
Janelle Chanona
“With the highest land prices in the country, a shortage of commercial real estate and a fragile coastal environment, some people think the only room for San Pedro’s expansion is up. However, many residents fear that the introduction of four story buildings will only bring their island down. Janelle Chanona for News Five.”
Since we shot this story over the weekend, Mayor Alberto Nuñez and members of the San Pedro Housing and Planning Committee have met with Simon Harmouche. He has promised to limit his building to three floors in accordance with the master plan. He has also submitted two copies of his blueprints to the committee. In light of these developments, Mayor Nuñez has also decided not to serve Harmouche with the court injunction he received today to stop construction on the hotel. A public meeting will be held on the island tonight to further discuss the matter.
