by amapaspv | Mar 17, 2014 | News | Noticias
Glad to Be Part of the Solution!
More condominium buildings in Amapas are recognizing the value of working together for a better Amapas, bringing total membership to about 350.The Amapas Neighborhood Association (Asociacion de Vecinos de la Colonia Amapas A.C.) has tripled in size in the last 3 years. Full building membership is a huge step toward stability for the Amapas Neighborhood Association as it eliminates the time and cost for volunteers in renewing many individual memberships, and provides a backbone for the budget of the ANA to pursue our work.
Recent new buildings joining the ANA include Horizon in upper Amapas, and Playa Bonita in lower Amapas on the beach. Vallarta Manor on Calle Santa Barbara is also joining, strengthening our presence in lower Amapas. A Board Member of Playa Bonita said in joining that he was “glad to be part of the solution”. A Vallarta Manor’s owner wrote: “We appreciate your fine efforts on behalf of all of the Amapas residents.”
Our strength – our ability to get things done – is in our membership base. Because of our numbers, we can afford a year-round full-time Administrator – our key to building relationships at City Hall, and in providing “gestor” services to our members using our Junta Vecinal status. Sadly, city responsiveness is uneven, but if we’re not pushing for solutions, nothing happens. While we have much work to do, several departments at the city have told us the ANA is the best organized and most effective neighborhood association in the city.
Our members not only fund our operations with their annual dues, but volunteer their time and effort, and contribute financially to special projects like the Amapas Private Security Patrol, getting new signs on the highway and building new trash containers throughout the colonia. For example, we are proud to welcome David Salter of Playa Bonita to our Responsible Development Committee.
Full Building Memberships make it easier for our members to join and renew. When membership is paid through an HOA, it is a legally deductive business expense for the building, and – as an administrative convenience for the ANA – currently receives a 15% discount on annual dues.
Here is a current list of our Current Full Building Members – if your building is not on the list please write to amapaspv@gmail.com to join:
- Almendro 50
- Bugambilias
- Brisa Lunar
- Condominio Hortensias
- El Dorado
- Horizon
- La Cima I
- Las Moradas
- Monte Vista
- Playa Bonita
- Renaissance
- Selva Mar
- Terraza Del Mar
- Vallarta Manor
- Villa Tizoc
- Villas de la Colina II
- Vista Amapas
- Vista Romantica
by amapaspv | Mar 17, 2014 | Development, News | Noticias
D’Terrace Condominiums is a new 41-unit project announced by Applegate Realtors “in the heart of lower Amapas and the Romantic Zone” according to their website. Its announced construction size, number of condos and height is more than twice what is permitted. This has alarmed neighbors and over 300 members of the Amapas Neighborhood Association (ANA) and Junta Vecinal who want to see the Plan Parcial (passed into law September 2012) properly followed by the city, to preserve the character of Amapas that attracts buyers in the first place.
Tom Swale, President of the ANA said “The ANA is not anti-growth, we’re pro-Responsible Development. As a Neighborhood Organization, we’re committed to construction that respects the character and special qualities of the neighborhood, the height and density of existing buildings, and current zoning regulations. We will support construction that contributes to the neighborhood and abides by the rules, but we’ll oppose construction that detracts from the neighborhood or violates the rules.”
The city’s own dictamen specifies construction density allowed on this lot half of what is being advertised.
The “dictamen” for the lot, per the official analysis by the city (dated December 11, 2012) shows:
- The lot has 1,143.8 sq mtrs
- COS (coverage of lot) % = .6, or 686 sq mtrs.
- CUS (ratio of covered construction to lot size) % = 1.8, or 2058 sq mtrs.
- MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 9 meters from highest point on lot
- PARKING: 2 spaces per unit
- BUFFER SPACE AT REAR: 3 mtrs
Based on the developer’s previously published information, a total of 4573 sq mtrs of condo space is planned on 8 floors, compared to 2058 permitted (more than double the amount). This information has since been removed from their website which currently shows zeros for the size of lot and amount of construction disclosed to the public. With an eight story building plus rooftop construction, at 2.5 meters/floor, the building is at least 22.5 meters high.
Three ANA representatives met with Planning Chief Francisco Altamirano on March 11, 2014. Despite an invitation reported in the Tribuna newspaper to review the files on the development, he offered absolutely no information about the project. He claimed the development was in Emiliano Zapata, despite the city’s own dictamen and project’s website clearly showing Amapas.
Representatives of the realtor and developer have offered to meet with the ANA and we look forward to discussing how to transform this project into a responsible development.
by amapaspv | Mar 15, 2014 | Security | Seguridad
Gene Mendoza with PV 252
PUERTO VALLARTA 14 MARCH 2014: Today the Puerto Vallarta Municipal Police presented the new police truck #252 which has begun regular patrols of Amapas, Conchas Chinas and points south. This is part of a contingent of 50 police vehicles now in service after a several-months-long delay.
Officers assigned to the unit will be from the Tourist Police, who speak English.
President Tom Swale, Board Member and ANA Security Chief Gene Mendoza and ANA Treasurer Don Pickens met with SubDirector Rigoberto Espinoza and Comandante of Tourist Police Felipe Camacho to discuss patrolling strategies.
Espinoza presented the names of the following officers who will be assigned to Amapas. The ANA has asked for a stable group of officers so that we know our patrols and they know the area, and we are pleased to know the officers now. The police organize 3 shifts as follows:
- A Group: Martin Cutberto Cervantes Camacho, Juan Antonio Huerta Gonzales
- B Group: Jorge Cañas Rodriguez and Marco Polo Covarrubias
- C Group: Alfonso Benavidez Alcantar and Francisco Javier Saucedo Jacobo
Coordinating with Mendoza, the police will begin nightly checkpoint logging again, including many of the major buildings in different parts of Amapas that have 24 hour security. We have outfitted the car with a new cell phone for incoming calls to the local patrol, and a floodlight.
The ANA Board is grateful that during the two months of private patrols, we know of only one break-in in the area. The SEPEPSA patrol has been effective, and will end its patrol in late March.
by amapaspv | Mar 13, 2014 | News | Noticias
Juan Alvarado, our ANA Board member in charge of Membership and Sponsorship, has been working overtime to bring new Member Benefits participants onboard.
Here’s a list of the latest local businesses and restaurants to offer discounts to our members:
- Blue Moon Spa: 10-20%
- Funiculli Tratoria: 10%
- Johnny’s Diner: 15%
- La Piazetta (Olas Altas @ Rodolfo Gomez): 15%
- Mama Rosa’s (on Basilio Badillo): 10%
- Muy Guapo Vallarta: 10%
- Pita Loca: 10%
Be sure to check our website – www.amapaspv.com – for a complete & up-to-date list of our Business Sponsors and Member Benefits providers.
Look for our ANA Sponsor or ANA Member Benefits placards at local businesses and restaurants. Not all participants display them, but when you see one, it’s a sure sign that your current ANA Membership card entitles you to special attention.
Be sure to show your card at the time you place your order – like that credit card company says, Membership has its privileges!
by amapaspv | Mar 13, 2014 | News | Noticias
SETTLEMENT UPDATE
City Hall was the site of a March 3 meeting between members of the ANA Board and Secretario Particular Oscar Ernesto Perez – the Mayor’s personal representative – to discuss the status of the Amapas Security Patrol.
Secretary Perez was cordial and helpful. He confirmed that the long-awaited fleet of 50 new police cars has been delivered, and is waiting to be equipped with radios, light-bars, etc. He estimated another two weeks before they appear on our streets. As promised, one of the 50 cars will be assigned to patrol Amapas and Conchas Chinas exclusively.
The status of our totaled Amapas Patrol car was also discussed. Despite pressing demands for other Public Works throughout Puerto Vallarta, Secretary Perez affirmed the City’s commitment to carry out a number of improvement projects submitted last month by the ANA, and promised action – which (due to budget restraints) may only be in the form of planning and construction labor – soon.
As a result, we anticipate meeting with ranking members of Obras Publicas and City Services to discuss project particulars in the very near future.
Amapas now appears to have the City Administration’s attention, and we’ll follow up, and report further developments as they happen.
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