The President's Aide – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region, Vladimir Yurgevich, held a personal reception of citizens at the regional executive committee.

The issues under consideration cover a wide range of topics. Among them is the dissatisfaction of citizens with the placement of a public catering facility on the first floor of a residential building in Vitebsk.

An 83-year-old pensioner from the Gorodok district sought assistance. The man said that he had already been to several authorities with a request for the necessity of installing a pedestrian crossing on the Gorodok-Vitebsk road near the "Batali" bus stop, leading to the village and a gardening cooperative.

– Help us solve this vital issue, – he began. – We use public transport – some go to Gorodok, some to Vitebsk. We don't stay at home. Local residents, including schoolchildren and summer residents, desperately need a pedestrian crossing across the road. But we are told that it is impossible.

Valery Zhdan, Deputy Chairman of the Gorodok District Executive Committee, explained that it is technically possible to install a pedestrian crossing, but it would contradict the Traffic Rules. On one side, there is a turn, and on the other, an incline, which limits visibility for drivers. This issue concerns safety.

Vladimir Yurgevich promised to visit the site together with the relevant services to understand the situation in more detail.

Among those who sought assistance from the President's Aide is a group of citizens from Vitebsk who are protesting against the opening of a public catering facility on the first floor of a residential building on Lenin Street.

– We have an old building, – the applicant said. – There used to be a bookstore nearby, but it closed. Now, a Japanese restaurant is planned to open in its place. We are strongly against this, as we understand that there will be noise, including in the evenings and on weekends, as well as odors and a concentration of cars. There are many vacant areas in the district where not only a restaurant but also a whole food court could be organized. Besides, there are already many catering establishments in the district without this one. There must be other solutions. We understand that the law does not require our opinion to be taken into account, but it does not prohibit it either.

Incidentally, the day before, Vladimir Yurgevich visited the site and spoke with the tenant of the premises.

– I was shown where the entrance will be and where the equipment, including refrigerators, will be located. This will not bother you, – noted the President's aide. – The tenant has taken into account the creation of comfortable conditions for residents, including sound insulation.

Chairman of the City Executive Committee Alexey Geroev added that there are indeed enough places in the city for doing business. However, this facility was put up for auction. The procedures were followed. And as of today, it is not possible to terminate the deal in accordance with the law, except in cases where the tenant decides to withdraw from the lease themselves.

– We are interested in the tenant fulfilling all the terms of the contract and the residents feeling comfortable. Vitebsk is a festival city; today, the country's northern capital is considered a venue for major international events. This requires developed infrastructure, including in the field of public catering, – stated Alexey Geroev. – We will set strict requirements for the restaurant's setup, and we will check the technical condition of the building, including the electrical system, sewage, and other aspects.

– I understand those who turn to me for help. Everyone strives to live in comfortable conditions, and this is quite natural, – concluded Vladimir Yurgevich. – For example, the issue of organizing a public catering facility in a residential building, it is difficult to say what the optimal solution would be. If you put yourself in the shoes of the residents, living next to a restaurant can sometimes cause certain inconveniences. However, it is also necessary to consider the possibility of using vacant premises. This entails a whole series of measures, including the creation of new jobs and tax revenues to the budget.

The President's Assistant is convinced that personal receptions of citizens are of great importance. Local authorities sometimes, relying on legislative acts and decrees, refuse people, and this may seem fair. Nevertheless, in some cases, it is necessary to meet the applicants halfway and look for ways to resolve their requests. Receptions of citizens encourage authorities to seek ways to help solve their issues.

vitebsk-region.gov.by