May 29, 2026
Hello everyone.
A request from me to you—every week I post a summary of the newsletter and a link to the website in the Zichron Yaakov Facebook groups (and there’s an additional post in English). The goal is to reach as many residents as possible so they can read this important information and even join the weekly mailing list. I would appreciate it if you could respond to this weekly post—even with just a brief thank you—because that’s the only way it will reach more residents.
Next Tuesday, there will be a council meeting—here is a link to the agenda.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XgkHWN0hxvkUH6McT11IYriOS52tsiNE/view?usp=sharing
- First item: The council has fenced off the large lot south of the Shufersal building and the health clinics with a bamboo fence. Although the lot is privately owned, the council did this to prevent a constant traffic hazard that existed there due to drivers entering the lot from the main road and across a crosswalk. The entrance from HaGoren Street remains open.
- Second topic: Will construction soon begin on the private lot adjacent to the youth club on Derech Sarah? Read about the evolution of the plan submitted by the owners during the council’s previous term, which will now be built only in accordance with the master plan and legal exemptions—30 residential units across 7 floors, including a commercial floor and underground parking levels. Read below for an explanation and a rendering of the two buildings to be constructed.
- Third topic: “Contact me, I’ll take care of it”—this is how the council head responds to residents’ posts and inquiries. While this may sound approachable and wonderful, in practice it undermines the work of administrators and fosters unacceptable work practices. Read about why and what the proper course of action is.
- Fourth topic: This week, an event for the new army recruits was held. Good luck to those finishing their high school exams and moving on to preparatory programs or enlisting in the army.
- Topic 5: This coming week, from Sunday through Friday (May 31–June 5), is Sustainability and Environmental Quality Week. See the flyer below, which offers a variety of activities for the whole family.
First Topic: What is the purpose of the bamboo fence surrounding the large field south of the Shufersal building and the health clinics?
The large lot belongs to private owners, and the Council, on its own initiative, acted appropriately by enclosing both sides of it with a bamboo fence. The reason for this is traffic safety. The lot has an entrance from HaGoren Street, yet residents were still entering the lot via the road, crossing at a crosswalk and even driving against traffic. In doing so, they endangered pedestrians and other vehicles. Therefore, the Council decided to block this access with a decorative fence. So now, the only entrance is from HaGoren Street.
By the way, this is a private lot zoned for mixed-use commercial and residential development. However, it is unknown what the owner intends to do with the lot. I checked, and currently no plans have been submitted.
Second issue: Will construction soon begin on the private lot adjacent to the youth club on Sarah Road (Plan No. 353-0957217)?
Metal fences have recently been erected around this area. Do they signal the start of construction on the private lot adjacent to the youth club on Sarah Road? As part of my oversight of all planning and construction matters in the community—carried out together with volunteers on a multidisciplinary professional team that assists me—we examined the significance of the activity on this lot.
This is the lot near the entrance to the neighborhood opposite the winery on Derech Sarah, located next to the youth club on Derech Sarah and the synagogue opposite the winery, as shown in the attached photo.
We examined the sequence of events regarding this lot: what the original zoning designation was, what the new designation is and the requested uses, and whether the council took action on this matter and when. As always, I am happy to share all the information with residents.
- This private plot is approximately 2.5 dunams in size. It was zoned for commercial use (two stories) according to Plan Sh/522, which was in effect at that time.
- In approximately 2022, the owners submitted a rezoning plan seeking to change the land’s designation from commercial to mixed-use commercial and residential, with the request including the construction of 50 housing units!!! on 8 stories!!!
- The council in the previous term opposed this plan, arguing that it must adhere to the guidelines of the master plan for Zone 3
- This plot is located in Zone 3 of the master plan but is situated within Designated Plot 206, which allows for up to 10 units per dunam.
- The previous council, during discussions of the internal planning committee (yes, there once was this important committee that operated transparently regarding all matters of planning and construction and published minutes that, for some reason, have disappeared from the council’s website), opposed the proposed plan and the requested scope of construction.
- This was reflected in the discussions of the Regional Committee at Meeting No. 954 (held on February 14, 2023), where the Regional Committee, in accordance with the position of the local council during the previous term, recommended rejecting the plan and aligning it with the master plan.
- The District Committee held a hearing in June 2023, during which it rejected the proposed plan and determined that it would not exceed the master plan guidelines, namely 10 units per dunam for Plot No. 206, Zone 3.
- The plan was deposited and published for objections in February 2024 (a few days before the municipal elections).
- No objections were filed by the local council, residents, or other entities.
- In April 2024, during the objection period, an objection was filed on behalf of the owners, who sought to have the plan approved with the addition of the apartment units and building rights they requested, in accordance with the surrounding area, as they claimed (based on TAMA 38 in the Ramat Zvi neighborhood, etc.).
- In August 2024, the District Committee accepted part of the owners’ objection and invoked Section 106b, which allows it, under its authority, to grant up to a 20% increase over the master plan; that is, in this plot, 12 units per dunam, but does not change the permitted number of stories—meaning only 7 stories, including a commercial floor and underground parking levels.
- On January 8, 2025, a hearing is held at the District Committee, which accepts some of the objections and determines that the density will be 12 units per dunam (in accordance with the 20% increase under Section 106b), meaning that a 2.5-dunam lot will have rights for 30 housing units. The number of stories will not change. The District Committee further emphasizes that the commercial complex will face the open space and the frontage of Sarah Road and HaGoren Street.
- In April 2025, the plan was finally approved.
Considering the entirety of the matters and the process as detailed above, it appears that the previous council’s opposition to the original plan submitted by the developers in 2022 was the correct course of action, one that was also largely supported by the planning authorities—meaning that 50 housing units will not be built, but only 30. The necessary commercial space in the community will also be preserved to support commerce for the neighboring neighborhoods and provide sources of revenue from business property taxes for the council. Construction will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the approved master plan and without deviations from it.
This action is of the utmost importance in order to withstand future real estate pressures!!! And this is how a council that acts in the best interests of its residents operates.
Attached are the construction plans as approved and published
(All information is available on the Planning Administration website – that’s how you achieve transparency!!!)
Surrounding area and plot location diagram
View of the project from Sarah Road
View from HaGoren Street
Third issue: “Contact me, I’ll take care of it”—this is how the council head responds to residents’ posts and inquiries. It may sound approachable and wonderful, but in practice it undermines the work of administrators and creates unacceptable work practices
“Contact me, I’ll handle it”—this is the gist of the council head’s responses to residents’ posts on social media—posts about malfunctions, hazards, noise nuisances, and operational issues.
On the surface, it sounds wonderful—the mayor is available, attentive, and personal. But when it comes to managing hundreds of employees serving 26,000 residents, this is improper and unacceptable. Let me explain—
There is the 106 hotline, there are department heads, and there are division managers—they are the ones who should be handling, resolving, and preventing malfunctions. The flawed system where residents must personally contact the mayor to resolve issues is a serious problem for both the council’s functioning and the administrative backbone.
Direct contact with the head of the local authority is a welcome thing, but it is no substitute for the 106 hotline and the orderly work of the departments. It only hinders their ability to function. And it creates an unacceptable impression that only proximity to the head of the council helps to advance and address issues.
It is possible, and at times may even lead to a situation where employees are deployed in a manner contrary to what is permitted by law. For example, inspectors may be deployed in a manner contrary to what is permitted by law.
The council must provide services to residents and handle every request efficiently, regardless of the council head.
Fourth Topic: This Week, a Recruitment Event Was Held
This week, the community’s new army recruits event took place, led by the council’s Youth Department, the Zamarin Community Center, and the local Rotary Club. The recruits were hosted at the Zichron Country Club, where they enjoyed a lavish spread and a fun atmosphere. In addition, as is customary every year, they were presented with a large backpack for their gear as a gift from the local council, and a toiletries bag as a gift from the Zichron Ya’akov Rotary Club.
I wish all the graduates success on their high school exams and a pleasant end to their school years. May you have an easy enlistment and meaningful service; go in peace and return in peace. And to those heading out for a year of service or a preparatory program—may you be blessed with success and fulfillment.
Topic 5: Sustainability and Environmental Quality Week
The Local Council, led by the Environmental Quality Department, in collaboration with the Zamarin Association and the Tamir Recycling Corporation, is hosting a variety of activities for the whole family from Sunday through Friday (May 31–June 5). Please see the attached flyer and register for activities on the Community Center website or at the Community Workshop.
Yours sincerely,
Limor Zer-Guttman