CMC proposal for commercial outlets in residential units

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has been urged to study the possibility of allocating some space on the ground floor of residential apartments for commercial outlets.The recommendation was made by the Central Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday in a move to ease the shortage in the local market for commercial outlets and shops, leading to constant rent hikes.The council was of the view that these hikes would ultimately be paid by the consumer and certainly reflect negatively on the prices of many commodities and services. The council also recommended that the geographical locations and areas should be determined for buildings that could fall in this category. In addition, priority of implementation should be decided by the municipalities concerned, based on the actual needs of the inhabitants and those who frequent the place. A list of the commercial activities that would be allowed should be prepared as well. Earlier, the CMC discussed the issue based on a suggestion from a member to find out possible solutions for the increasing commercial rental rates. In the meantime, the council issued other recommendations regarding the houses of Qataris at the outskirts of the country, in particular at the desert areas. The council asked the Ministry of Energy and Industry to issue a decision to treat these as normal houses of Qataris rather than luxury and entertainment chalets, in particular regarding the bills of water and electricity and the charges for these connections. Consequently, the owners of such facilities should be allowed reduced water and electricity tariff or completely exempted from payment if possible. Similarly, the council asked the MME to reduce the prices of the plots of land allocated to some Qataris for further additions and extensions to their residential houses. These plots are part of the excesses of public streets that come within the planning of new areas. Being small in space and unfit for building single units, the MME allows Qataris to buy them as an expansion to their houses. To ease access to Al Khor city, the council recommended that the MME should study the possibility of creating a highway that connects the city to Al Shamal expressway to maintain better traffic flow. The CMC meets once every two weeks, and its members, who are elected representatives of all the municipalities in the country, discuss related issues and give recommendations on possible solutions or municipal services improvements.