Municipality: 20,000 Sq M Allocated for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center in Granada

Kuwait officials: The Municipal Council, in its ordinary session held yesterday 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 establishing a new entrance and exit for the site, in implementation of the Council 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 Shuwaikh Industrial Area, Plot No. 2 (New Shuwaikh), to serve as a “site for insect and rodent control services,” in implementation of the Council of Ministers’ decision. This is conditional upon authorizing the competent administrations to relocate and adjust the site’s dimensions and area, provided such adjustments do not exceed the allocated areas, 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 the practice of sports activities.” This is subject to relocating the existing service road between the site and the Arab Horse Center site, with a width of no less than 17 meters, and maintaining a setback of 4 meters, according to the following conditions: submitting a detailed traffic study before final approval, approved by the General Directorate of Traffic – 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 before implementation.

Additionally, the Council approved the Ministry of Public Works’ request to establish a new entrance and exit for the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy site in the Salwa Cemetery area (South Salwa), on Plot (1), with a width of 30 meters and a length of 250 meters, subject to the following conditions:

* Adhering to the conditions outlined 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 establishing storage lanes at the entrance and exit, and reviewing with 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 the Kuwait Municipality with the final design of the requested road according to the requirements of the service ministries, using the (KTM) coordinate system, before final approval.

* Authorizing the competent 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 approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ request to reorganize part of Plot (1) within the Diplomatic Area in the West Mishref zone.

The Council approved allowing the addition of 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, and only on the ground floor, as follows:

* Commercial activities permitted in government administrative buildings (ministries and institutions): 5 activities (café, snacks, document printing and copying center, ATM machines, and grocery store).

* Commercial activities permitted in government hospital buildings: 10 activities including “cafeteria, snacks, serving cold and hot beverages, gift shop, flower shop, children’s clothing, optical glasses, medical supplies, confectionery shop, and retail sales,” commensurate with the nature of the facility.

This is subject to the following conditions:

* No prior decision from the Municipal Council regarding the commercial exploitation of the site has been issued.

* Adjusting the status of sites for which no Municipal Council decision has been issued to comply with the conditions stipulated in this decision.

* Authorizing competent administrations to modify activity names to match those approved by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

* No service roads for any commercial activities outside the building; servicing must be from within the building only.

* Coordinating 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 the clauses concerning certificates issued by the Personnel Affairs Department, and 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 continuation and breakdown certificates.

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

Council member Dr. Hassan Kamal mourned the late Yusuf Ali Kamal, a former member of the Municipal Council, during the session. Dr. Kamal said in a statement at the beginning of the session: “With hearts filled with contentment in God’s decree and destiny, we lost a few days ago one of the symbols of national generosity, 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 with dedication and sincere work, in which he was an example of integrity and upright character, leaving clear imprints during a pivotal stage in Kuwait’s history, and building with his loyal companions the foundational pillars of Kuwait’s urban organization and planning. He worked hard and devotedly to serve the country and its citizens. Dr. Hassan Kamal continued: “The deceased has left a positive legacy and a distinguished history that will remain alive in the memory of Kuwaitis and in the records of municipal and national service. We ask God, the Almighty, to envelop him in His boundless mercy, grant him a spacious place in Paradise, increase him in goodness and grace, and inspire his family and loved ones with patience and solace.”