Municipality: 20,000 sqm allocated for Multiple Sclerosis treatment center in Granada

Kuwait officials: The Municipal Council, in its ordinary session held yesterday and chaired by Abdullah Al-Mohri, approved the Ministry of Health’s request to allocate a site for the construction of a Multiple Sclerosis treatment center in the Granada area, within the Salwa Coast zone, covering an area of 20,000 square meters. The approval included the creation of an entrance and exit for the site, in implementation of the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision, conditional upon providing the necessary parking spaces within the site’s boundaries. The Ministry must also submit an environmental and social impact assessment report in accordance with the Environmental Protection Law, as well as a traffic study approved by the General Directorate of Traffic before obtaining the license.

The Council also approved the Ministry of Health’s request to allocate a plot measuring 22,500 square meters, located in Industrial Area Al-Shuwaikh, Plot No. 2 (New Al-Shuwaikh), to serve as a “site for insect and rodent control services,” in line with the Cabinet’s decision. This is subject to authorizing the relevant administrations to relocate and adjust the site’s dimensions and area, provided such adjustments do not exceed the allocated sizes, in case of conflict with existing infrastructure services or any regulatory requirements.

Furthermore, the Council approved the Ministry of Interior’s request to amend a previous Municipal Council decision, changing the name of the site designated for the Police Cavalry and Equestrian Center to the “Police Sports Union Headquarters.” The Council stipulated that no alternative site would be allocated for the Police Cavalry and Equestrian Center, and approved expanding the site, which covers 75,000 square meters, to be utilized for “sports fields and activities.” This approval is subject to relocating the existing service street between the site and the Arab Horse Center site, ensuring its width is no less than 17 meters, and maintaining a setback of 4 meters, in accordance with the following conditions: submitting a detailed traffic study before finalization, approved by the General Directorate of Traffic and the Ministry of Interior; and adhering to the conditions outlined in the responses of the Sub-Committee members for Utilities and Public Services, coordinating with them prior to implementation.

Additionally, the Council approved the Ministry of Public Works’ request to create an entrance and exit for the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy site located in the Salwa Cemetery area (South Salwa), on Plot (1), with a width of 30 meters and a length of 250 meters. This is subject to the following conditions: adhering to the conditions in the responses of the Sub-Committee members for Utilities and Public Services and coordinating with them before implementation; complying with traffic safety conditions by creating storage lanes at the entrance and exit, and consulting the General Directorate of Traffic to obtain necessary permits before starting implementation to ensure traffic flow and reduce congestion; the Ministry of Public Works must provide Kuwait Municipality with the final road design according to the requirements of the service ministries, using the KTM coordinate system, before finalization; and authorizing the relevant administration to relocate and adjust the road’s lengths, dimensions, and coordinates, provided such adjustments do not exceed the allocated lengths and dimensions, in case of conflict with existing infrastructure services or any regulatory requirements.

The Council also approved the final consent for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ request to reorganize part of Plot (1) within the Diplomatic Enclave in the West Mishref area.

The Council approved allowing commercial activities in all government administrative buildings and government hospitals, provided that the proportion of commercial uses within government administrative buildings and government hospitals does not exceed 1% or 200 square meters, whichever is less, of the building’s land area. This is restricted to the ground floor only, as follows:

- Permitted commercial activities in government administrative buildings (ministries and institutions) include five activities: café, light meals, document printing and copying center, ATM machines, and convenience store.

- Permitted commercial activities in government hospital buildings include ten activities: cafeteria, light meals, serving cold and hot beverages, gift shop, flower shop, children’s clothing, optical shop, medical supplies, confectionery shop, and retail sales, in proportion to the nature of the facility.

This approval is subject to the following conditions:

- No prior decision by the Municipal Council regarding the commercial exploitation of the site has been issued.

- The status of sites for which no Municipal Council decision has been issued must be adjusted to comply with the conditions stipulated in this decision.

- Authorizing the relevant administrations to adjust activity names to match those approved by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

- No service provision for any commercial activity outside the building; service provision must be from within the building only.

- Coordination with the Ministry of Finance regarding the necessary procedures for concluding the contract.

The Council also approved amending the former Mayor’s decision issued on May 24, 2000, by repealing clauses concerning certificates issued by the Personnel Affairs Department. Additionally, the Council approved amending the decision of the Committee entrusted with the Municipal Council’s functions, issued on September 26, 2013, by repealing the provision imposing a special fee for both the salary transfer continuity and breakdown certificates.

The Council referred Member Abdullah Al-Anzi’s proposal regarding the creation of U-turns on Al-Hajj Ibn Yousuf Al-Thaqafi Street in the Salwaiba area to the Executive Body for study.

Council member Dr. Hassan Kamal paid tribute during the session to the late Yusuf Ali Kamal, a former member of the Kuwait Municipal Council. At the beginning of the session, Dr. Kamal said in a statement: “With hearts filled with acceptance of God’s decree and destiny, we lost a few days ago one of the symbols of national contribution, the late Mr. Yusuf Ali Kamal, former member of the Municipal Council for the 1972 and 1976 terms. He added: “Mr. ‘Abu Yaqoub’ departed after a career rich in dedication and sincere effort, serving as an example of integrity and upright character. He left clear imprints during a pivotal phase in Kuwait’s history, and together with his loyal colleagues, he laid the foundational pillars of urban organization and urban planning for Kuwait. He worked diligently and devotedly to serve the country and its citizens. Dr. Hassan Kamal continued: “The deceased has left a positive legacy and a distinguished record that will remain alive in the memory of Kuwaitis and in the annals of municipal and national service. We ask Almighty God to envelop him in His boundless mercy, grant him a spacious place in Paradise, increase his goodness and grace, and inspire his family and loved ones with patience and solace.”