Agenda Proposal: The Council shall act in accordance with the law and remove the illegal barrier between Wine Park and Malchei Yisrael Street

May 4, 2025

Motion: The Council shall act in accordance with the law and remove the illegal barrier between Wine Park and Malchei Yisrael Street

Submitted by: Council Member Dr. Limor Zar Gutman, Esq., “Lema’an HaMoshava” party

Factual Background:

Plan Sh/656 for Wine Park was approved in 2007. The plan included residential complexes, tourism complexes, areas for wineries, and more. The plan also defined a road and traffic network as part of the zoning plan. Under the approved zoning plan, four entrances/exits were designated for the Wine Park complex, namely:

1. Main entrance and exit to Route 652 (Zichron Yaakov–Binyamina),

2. A southern exit via Road No. 2 (Anavim Street) toward Road 654, formerly known as the White Road.

3. An open passage for vehicles between the Wine Park, Anavim Street (Road No. 2), and Malchei Yisrael Street, Neve Sharett neighborhood.

4. Open passage for vehicles between Wine Park, Muscat Street (Road No. 9), and Tirosh Street, Neve Sharett neighborhood.

This road network, including entrances and exits, is part of the approved Zoning Plan Sh/656. Zoning Plan Sh/656 is a detailed and binding zoning plan. I would also like to note, for the sake of clarity and by way of example, that under the regulations of the Wine Park plan—which was also approved under Zoning Plan Sh/655—it was required, in accordance with the zoning plan’s guidelines, to clear the waste site located within the plan’s area as a condition for granting building permits. The Regional Committee insisted that no building permits be issued for homes until the waste site was cleared, and this is indeed what happened.

Another important factual background: As part of the expansion of the ecological corridor from a 50-meter-wide strip to a 200- to 250-meter-wide strip, Detailed Plan No. 353-0869016 was submitted by the District Committee for the section regarding the expansion and regulation of the ecological corridor. One of the provisions of this plan included the cancellation of the southern exit on Road No. 2; that is, the District Committee chose the legal route to amend an existing zoning plan and submitted a plan in accordance with the Planning and Building Law, which also included the cancellation of an approved exit.

At its meeting No. 2/22-16 on February 1, 2022, the Local Council approved the filing of an objection to some of the requested changes, with the main objection being the cancellation of the southern exit from Road 2. The council hired a lawyer to file the objection and also commissioned and submitted an expert opinion from Ruthie Shprental Abahal to support the council’s argument against the cancellation of the southern passage. Attached is the first page submitted by the council as an objection to the closure of the southern exit of the ecological corridor.

About two months ago, the legal passage between Wine Park and Malchei Yisrael Street was blocked by a permanent barrier that prevents vehicle passage, contrary to the approved Z/656 zoning plan. If the Council wishes to block this legal passage with a permanent barrier, it must submit an urban building plan in accordance with the law, and this matter will be discussed solely within the framework of that procedure.

Upon learning of this, on March 8, 2025, I contacted: the Council Chair, the Council Secretary, the Council Engineer, and the Council Legal Advisor. I received no response to this inquiry. I contacted them again and received no response. I then contacted the commander of the Zichron Yaakov Police Station, who is responsible by virtue of his position for any transportation changes in the town. I also contacted the official in charge at the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Damti, who replied to me on April 8, 2025, stating that he had contacted the council engineer regarding my claims.

Only following an inquiry from Radio 90FM did the Ministry of Transportation respond, stating that the Ministry is currently engaged in professional discussions with the local council to examine the issue and ensure proper traffic arrangements. From this response, it can be understood that the council did not consult with the Ministry of Transportation before deciding to install the barrier. The police have washed their hands of the matter, and no response has been received from the council, not even to the radio reporter.

Since the illegal roadblock has been in place for two months and my inquiries to the council chair and council administration are consistently going unanswered—even though the law requires a response to council members—and in light of the harm caused to residents with each passing day, I am submitting this motion.

The following is the proposed resolution:

The council shall immediately remove the illegal roadblock between Road No. 2 (Anavim Street) and Malki Yisrael Street and the Neve Sharett neighborhood. This roadblock was erected in violation of Zoning Plan Sh/656.

Attached is the first page submitted by the Council as an objection to the closure of the southern exit of the ecological corridor

Limor Zar-Guttman

The “Lema’an HaMoshava” Party.