Although Kochani’s urban design plans and zoning regulations did not allow repurposing an industrial building into an entertainment venue, the Pulse owner turned the facility into a nightclub in 2012. This was a clear violation of the law, according to Dushica Trpchevska Angjelkovikj, urban planner and expert witness in land use and urban development, testifying at the Idrizovo courtroom Wednesday in the Pulse fire trial.
Prosecutor Darko Jakimovski initially indicated that the construction expertise is composed of several areas and today it continues with aspects related to urbanism and the hearing of expert Dushica Trpchevska Angjelkovikj.
Regarding the urban planning for the facility, the expert indicated that the G10 zone of the City of Kochani, where the nightclub is located, has not changed since the first Detailed Urban Plan adopted in 1998, as well as the last one that came into force in 2013, and is intended for light industry and small businesses.
“All other parameters, such as area, height, number of floors, position, access and parking, depend on the purpose of the facility. Its constructive, functional and safety requirements that the building must meet depend on the purpose of the facility,” said Angjelkovikj.
According to the Law on Construction, Article 97, each facility is used for the purpose for which it was intended and built.
“Specifically, the building in which the Pulse nightclub was located consists of two buildings, of which building 1 was built in 1998 based on an issued permit for the construction of a business production sales facility. Building 2 was built without a construction permit and in 2011 was legalized for the purpose of light and non-polluting industry. In 2012, the building was used in line with the purpose of the Urban Development Plan. Since 2012, the investor has started to use part of the building for the purpose of a nightclub, which is contrary to the Urban Development Plan and the legal legislation on urban planning and construction,” elaborated Angjelkovikj.
