Objection to a municipal decision?

Questioner

The municipality wants to grant a coffee shop owner an operating permit right across from my shop (eight meters away). This is part of an experiment for legal weed sales. This permit is subject to a number of conditions regarding surveillance and enforcement. The objection I want to make is that, as the owner of a shoe shop (an open shop where everyone is welcome), I am not surprised that there is constant surveillance (or enforcement) in front of my shop. I already have the feeling that during my opening hours, perhaps unconsciously, guards are constantly observing me and my customers. The front door of my shop is 8 meters away, directly across from his door. This is a pedestrian area, so moving cars or a road do not separate our premises. How can I express this in an objection?

Lawyer

It is understandable that you are concerned about the impact that the proposed changes in your neighbourhood could have on your business. Below is a sample objection letter that you can send to the municipality. Please note that this is a general example that you should adapt further based on your specific circumstances and have checked by a lawyer or attorney. --- [Your name] [Your address] [Postcode and City] Municipality [Name of the municipality] To the Objections Department [Town hall address] [Postcode and city] [Place], [Date] Subject: Objection to the granting of an operating permit to the coffee shop at [address] Ir/Madam, By means of this letter I object to the decision of the municipality of [name of municipality], dated [date of decision], to grant an operating permit to the coffee shop located at [location/address]. I am the owner of a shoe store, located at [your address], just eight meters across from the coffee shop. The impact on my business has not been sufficiently taken into account in your decision-making in my opinion. My objection is twofold. Firstly, I am concerned about the constant surveillance of security personnel required under the coffee shop permit. This will have an intimidating effect on me and my customers, given the direct line of sight between my shop and the said establishment. Customers cannot be expected to feel relaxed and welcome in my shop if they are constantly being watched. Secondly, I am concerned about the potential reputational damage and associations that visible security personnel can create. Customers or potential customers may misunderstand that the presence of security has anything to do with my business. I therefore request the municipality of [name of municipality] to consider my objections and reconsider the plan to grant the permit. I am of course available to discuss the impact on my business, should this help in your decision-making. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, [Your name and signature] --- Please note that the objection period often begins six weeks after the announcement of the decision. In addition, it is advisable to send this objection by registered mail and to keep a copy for yourself.' ---------------- Stichting Rechtswinkel.nl is a national organization with students and volunteers. The above advice is based on limited information and may be incomplete or even incorrect for your situation. Always consult a lawyer or attorney for your further steps. Read disclaimer: https://rechtswinkel.nl/disclaimer