July 30, 2012--Despite many objections and a comment by the Planning Administration about the collapse of the cliff-face, the Tel Aviv Regional Planning and Building Commission has approved the plan to expand the Dan Accadia Herzliya Hotel to make it into Israel's largest hotel, with 1,325 rooms. The commission decided to give legal force to the plan a few days ago.

Israel's largest hotel is currently the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel, with 606 rooms.

The plan, prepared by Thomas M. Leitersdorf Architects and Town Planners Ltd., proposes to expand the Dan Accadia Hotel, owned by Dan Hotels Corp. Ltd. (TASE: DANH), by 70,000 square meters, and to increase the number of its rooms from 200 to 1,325. According to the description of the plan, the expansion will be carried out in stages, which, when completed, will reduce the facade that blocks the sea from Ramat Yam Street, and will establish walkways between the street and the beach.

In the first stage, an eight-story building will be built. In the second stage, the middle eight-story building will be built adjacent to the current structure. In the third stage, the southern 17-story building will be built. Each stage will include development of the cliff face in its area.

The Coastal Environment Preservation Committee previously approved the plan, but objections were filed over the proximity of the building to the cliff, traffic problems, noise from the plan, and the damage to the coastal environment. The Appeals Committee dismissed the objections, saying that the plan benefited the public interest in the coastal environment.

The Regional Commission's Appeals Subcommittee for Objections discussed the numerous objections filed against the plan, which focused on the blocking of air and sea vistas, traffic and parking problems in the vicinity, and changes in the character of the environment. Most of the objections were dismissed, but some were partly accepted. The committee decided to validate the plan, subject to changes in accordance with the objections and comments, which were accepted in part.

Adv. Anat Biran, who represented some of the opponents, said, "We're studying the decision, but we have no intention taking the decision lying down."

A local resident said, "Herzliya Mayor Yael German forgot her previous declarations, and is promoting a project that will severely harm the neighbors, and they will make sure to settle accounts with her at the next elections."

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(c)2012 the Globes (Tel Aviv, Israel)

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