four stories O.K.

[Dpreefer]

I have heard that the City zoning is now approving construction to four stories, plus roof decks without applying for (and paying for) a variance. I had this confirmed by a builder who should know.

So I guess that all current buiildings can expect to lose their views from the roof and the density of the town will move from congested to over-congested and we can forget about finding a parking space ocean-side of
20th Ave.

Didn't the city learn anything from Cancun and the hazards of over-constructing? I fear for the future of the town as it becomes more congested and more city-like. How could this happen without some kind of public hearings or input from the public? Can anyone confirm this or tell me that it is just a bad rumour?

[Tony&Cheri]

Originally Posted by Dpreefer

I have heard that the City zoning is now approving construction to four stories, plus roof decks without applying for (and paying for) a variance. I had this confirmed by a builder who should know.

So I guess that all current buiildings can expect to lose their views from the roof and the density of the town will move from congested to over-congested and we can forget about finding a parking space ocean-side of
20th Ave.

Didn't the city learn anything from Cancun and the hazards of over-constructing? I fear for the future of the town as it becomes more congested and more city-like. How could this happen without some kind of public hearings or input from the public? Can anyone confirm this or tell me that it is just a bad rumour?

As far as we know the three floor rule is still in effect. However this being Mexcio that rule is and always has been flexable.Some "three" floor buildings start on the second floor with a parking garage on the first floor. Others have elongated floors which rise higher than other buildings. Some seem to just blatantly to build four floors. Hey, it's Mexico.

However this really isn't a new circumstance. Playa has been growing and building for a number of years now. The only people who were ever guaranteed ocean views are those on the beach. But no, once again Playa is not Cancun. Cancun has walled off it's beaches with mega room hotels and effectively turned it's tourist zone into a concrete imitation of an American City. Playa on the other hand still has multiple beach access points, still has it's beaches open or backed by small hotels, and still has a tourist zone which is charming, multi-national, green with foliage, and accesable. As for parking...who needs a car in Playa? Seriously, the resort zone has never been vehicle friendly because the main street, 5th ave, is closed to traffic. And we think that is a good thing.

As for the Builder in the "know"...architects, builders and contractors with secret knowledge of what is or is not allowed in Playa and what is happening down at the Palacio Muncipal are a mainstay of Playa. Not knowing your particular guy, we would say in gerneral to take such projections of doom with a grain of salt.

-Tony

[Rissask]

Cancun has walled off it's beaches with mega room hotels and effectively turned it's tourist zone into a concrete imitation of an American City.

I always find this line of thought funny (no offense Tony ). But, in what way are high rise buildings like hotels in Cancun, only reminiscent of 'American cities'? I believe buildings over 4 stories can be found in most areas and cities of the world now.

Don't get me wrong, I hope PDC sticks with the mainly low buildings, for the view of people further from the coast and also where it is flat like the Yucatan, it mars the landcape a bit to have high rises....whereas a place like Acupulco or Rio with the mountains in the background, it can be quite beautiful. And Cancun is a sandbar, not as much concern about the view, everyone is pretty much oceanfront.

[Sogno]

"...But no, once again Playa is not Cancun. Cancun has walled off it's beaches with mega room hotels and effectively turned it's tourist zone into a concrete imitation of an American City...."
I've noticed a common disdain for Cancun among many American Playa lovers. Having vacationed in Cancun for many years, I love the area, and it was on one of our Cancun vacations that I discovered and stayed in PDC. Don't get me wrong, I think PDC is wonderful also, but sometimes it seems some people are a bit overly critical of Cancun. If that's the way you feel, so be it. I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For those that frequent the islands of Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea, or others, they'd turn up their noses at the mention of PDC. For me, I love Cancun for many reasons, including it's downtown charm (mkts 23 & 28), restaraunts, shopping downtown, Isla only a few minutes away by boat, and others. Cancun is different than PDC, but I don't think is deserves some of the rap it gets.

[Buggirl]

Originally Posted by Bellasogno

"...But no, once again Playa is not Cancun. Cancun has walled off it's beaches with mega room hotels and effectively turned it's tourist zone into a concrete imitation of an American City...."
I've noticed a common disdane for Cancun among many American Playa lovers. Having vacationed in Cancun for many years, I love the area, and it was on one of our Cancun vacations that I discovered and stayed in PDC. Don't get me wrong, I think PDC is wonderful also, but sometimes it seems some people are a bit overly critical of Cancun. If that's the way you feel, so be it. I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For those that frequent the islands of Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea, or others, they'd turn up their noses at the mention of PDC. For me, I love Cancun for many reasons, including it's downtown charm (mkts 23 & 28), restaraunts, shopping downtown, Isla only a few minutes away by boat, and others. Cancun is different than PDC, but I don't think is deserves some of the rap it gets.

I think its maybe not so much distain for Cancun but rather a desire to visit something different than you would typically find in the US. Growing up on the east coast of the US, our most popular beaches are all Cancun-esque- i.e. high rise hotels "walling" off the ocean with a touristy "strip" of restaurants, clubs, and shops (the hotel zone, only- I'm not speaking of downtown). PDC just has a much more small town feel, even though it is growing so fast (so I've heard- have only been once 3 years ago). I can't think of anywhere in the US that really has the same feel as Playa (maybe Key West without the beaches) but the hotel zone of Cancun really reminds me of Ocean City, Virgina Beach, Daytona Beach, etc. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that- its just not what I want out of my vacation.

[Loree]

Originally Posted by Bellasogno

"...But no, once again Playa is not Cancun. Cancun has walled off it's beaches with mega room hotels and effectively turned it's tourist zone into a concrete imitation of an American City...."
I've noticed a common disdain for Cancun among many American Playa lovers. Having vacationed in Cancun for many years, I love the area, and it was on one of our Cancun vacations that I discovered and stayed in PDC. Don't get me wrong, I think PDC is wonderful also, but sometimes it seems some people are a bit overly critical of Cancun. If that's the way you feel, so be it. I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For those that frequent the islands of Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea, or others, they'd turn up their noses at the mention of PDC. For me, I love Cancun for many reasons, including it's downtown charm (mkts 23 & 28), restaraunts, shopping downtown, Isla only a few minutes away by boat, and others. Cancun is different than PDC, but I don't think is deserves some of the rap it gets.

I have to agree with the Canucn remarks most of the time.
I think that most of Cancun's faults lie in the hotel zone and that is what most people do not care for.
The downtown area is never mentioned and I for one stayed in downtown Cancun for about 9 years in a row and absolutely loved it and I will go back again.
When I was in Playa in April, I went to Cancun for a day so I could do the markets and also go to Perico's.
If it had the ocean, it would feel so much like Playa. There are so many things to do downtown and you are close to everything. The hotel zone is a place I will not visit simply because it looks like Miami and 99% of the people there are Americans.
There is nothing wrong with Americans, but I go to Mexico to experience what Mexico and it's people has to offer, not Miami.
If you stay in downtown you do experience the real Mexico.
Just my dos pesos!!

[StephenB]

I'll have to wait and see if this latest news is fact or fiction. I personally don't know how much more urbanazation PDC can stand. First the dock, and not the possibility of higher buildings. I'm not against progress or growth, but you have to ask yourself how far it will go. City planners have sworn they won't allow the chacter of PDC to evaporate because of thoughtlessness, but like Big T says...hey this is Mexico.

[james]

hmmm. doesn't really seem like "news" to me. as far as I know, it's been this way for quite a while... maybe forever. I've always known it as a height restriction, not a number-of-floors restriction.

[sctx]

Originally Posted by james

I've always known it as a height restriction, not a number-of-floors restriction.

ground floor doesn't count down there does it???

[Tony&Cheri]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I always find this line of thought funny (no offense Tony ). But, in what way are high rise buildings like hotels in Cancun, only reminiscent of 'American cities'? I believe buildings over 4 stories can be found in most areas and cities of the world now.

Originally Posted by Rissask

Don't get me wrong, I hope PDC sticks with the mainly low buildings, for the view of people further from the coast and also where it is flat like the Yucatan, it mars the landcape a bit to have high rises....whereas a place like Acupulco or Rio with the mountains in the background, it can be quite beautiful. And Cancun is a sandbar, not as much concern about the view, everyone is pretty much oceanfront.

Cancun is an American City not because of heighth of it's hotels but because:
It was built primarally to attract American tourists;
It's population speaks english to make American tourists feel comfortable;
It is designed around large entertainment centers and malls;
It contains many American chains, hotels and restaraunts to appeal to the American tourist;
It's largest income surge each year results from American College spring break visitors.
Finally it offers little in the way of indeginous Mexican culture or experience.
And as far as the ocean front hotels are concerned, simply drive down the strip and tell me when you can see the ocean. You can't unless you walk through the "wall". That is my point.
-Tony
p.s. I'm sure Canada has lots of really huge skyscrapers. Sorry to have made you feel left out.

[Sol]

If you like Cancun, that's great! I won't criticize the city, but I prefer not to visit it. Cancun reminds me too much of some places in Baja California which are too americanized in order to accomodate American tourists. I can't handle that type of vibe.

[playabum17]

Originally Posted by Sol

If you like Cancun, that's great! I won't criticize the city, but I prefer not to visit it. Cancun reminds me too much of some places in Baja California which are too americanized in order to accomodate American tourists. I can't handle that type of vibe.

Ditto!

[Sogno]

Originally Posted by Sol

If you like Cancun, that's great! I won't criticize the city, but I prefer not to visit it. Cancun reminds me too much of some places in Baja California which are too americanized in order to accomodate American tourists. I can't handle that type of vibe.

What language are most of the signs printed in PDC? Any predicitons for 5 or 10 years from now?

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Tony&Cheri

[b]

Cancun is an American City not because of heighth of it's hotels but because:
It was built primarally to attract American tourists;
It's population speaks english to make American tourists feel comfortable;
It is designed around large entertainment centers and malls;
It contains many American chains, hotels and restaraunts to appeal to the American tourist;
It's largest income surge each year results from American College spring break visitors.
Finally it offers little in the way of indeginous Mexican culture or experience.
And as far as the ocean front hotels are concerned, simply drive down the strip and tell me when you can see the ocean. You can't unless you walk through the "wall". That is my point.
-Tony
p.s. I'm sure Canada has lots of really huge skyscrapers. Sorry to have made you feel left out.

And here silly me thought Cancun was a Mexican city!

I wasn't feeling 'left out'.

Just pointing out that high rises are a worldwide urban phenomenon, not only in the US. Although I am fairly sure you already knew that.

And Playa is becoming more urban all the time, so it stands to reason it is going to accumulate more and more typically 'urban' features- from McDonalds to Starbucks to Wal Mart to soaring property taxes, more crime, etc. No surprise there, and also not too much argument from most locals about the American stores, from what I understand- if I lived there I would likely welcome a Wal Mart too.

Any resort area will cater to it's prime clientele, that's simply good business. Who else are they going to cater to?

And the bottom line is, the majority of travelers to Mexico could care less about the 'Mexican indigenous cuture or experience'. They want a nice vacation with cheap beer, good food, sun and sand and sea.

[Sogno]

Originally Posted by Rissask

And here silly me thought Cancun was a Mexican city!

I wasn't feeling 'left out'.

Just pointing out that high rises are a worldwide urban phenomenon, not only in the US. Although I am fairly sure you already knew that.

And Playa is becoming more urban all the time, so it stands to reason it is going to accumulate more and more typically 'urban' features- from McDonalds to Starbucks to Wal Mart to soaring property taxes, more crime, etc. No surprise there, and also not too much argument from most locals about the American stores, from what I understand- if I lived there I would likely welcome a Wal Mart too.

Any resort area will cater to it's prime clientele, that's simply good business. Who else are they going to cater to?

And the bottom line is, the majority of travelers to Mexico could care less about the 'Mexican indigenous cuture or experience'. They want a nice vacation with cheap beer, good food, sun and sand and sea.

Cheers! Very well stated! I would add - let's see what the future brings to PDC...