Zoning plan puts U.S. build-to-lease housing program in Vicenza on hold

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Zoning plan puts U.S. build-to-lease housing program in Vicenza on hold
By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, January 10, 2008

The Southern European Task Force (Airborne) is exploring its options after plans for a second large American housing community in the Vicenza province hit a snag last month.

The U.S. had reached a deal with Italian contractor Pizzarotti to construct 215 homes that the military would then lease for at least two decades. Plans called for the site to be in the town of Quinto Vicentino, northwest of Vicenza.

But the town’s council failed to give an OK to the project in December, citing a new zoning plan by the Veneto region. Approving the U.S.-backed project would essentially use up a majority of the town’s quota for growth.

“They essentially deferred action on it,” said Mark Oswald, chief of the international and operational law division for SETAF.

So, while that’s not a clear rejection, SETAF is exploring other options while awaiting word on whether Quinto receives an exemption from the region.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51523