How to settle
The PSE Pian Faloppia Institutional Commission, in close cooperation with the Balerna Municipality, facilitates settlement with simple and coordinated procedures, strictly observing building laws and the Zoning Plan.
The settlement, stay and cessation of activity within the PSE are regulated by a group of experts, the so-called PSE Pian Faloppia Technical Commission, which evaluates each single request on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the Building Law, the Pian Faloppia Detailed Zoning Plan and the guidelines given in Sheet R7 of the Cantonal Director Plan. This commission, composed of all the institutional stakeholders from the industrial area, operates with simple and shared procedures. Its task is to coordinate the strategic development of the district.
The conditions for leasing and selling land, buildings and available spaces within existing buildings are the result of direct private negotiations; the panel of experts only assesses compliance with the intended use designation and applicable laws. The formal decision is issued by the Municipality of Balerna, which is the competent authority in matters of intended use. It is emphasized in this sense that the final decision lies with the municipal executive and is binding for the applicant.
For other medium-to long -term strategic issues, a Strategic Commission is being set up. In addition to institutional stakeholders in the area, owners and companies will also be involved, in order to give voice to all stakeholders of the area and outline a shared strategic vision of the future of the Pian Faloppia’s future.
1. Select an available space
By consulting the interactive map of the industrial area, you can easily locate land, buildings or spaces currently available and verify their suitability.
For further information, please contact the Area Manager: via e-mail arianna.cattaneo@ers-mb.ch or tel. +41 (0)58 122 48 14.
2. Declaration of interest and contact with the owner
Once a suitable production area has been identified, interest in settlement is formalized by contacting the area manager for an initial entry into the matter.
Based on the specific request, the area manager will be able to advise on the most suitable spaces and will arrange to connect the applicant with the owners of the interested land parcels. It should be noted in this context that the terms for leasing and selling land, buildings and available space are the result of direct private negotiations.
3. Request assessment
It is up to the Balerna municipal executive to assess the conformity of the area’s intended use as part of a formal building procedure (building application, change of use, etc.).
However, in order to reduce timescales and filter applications, anticipating any critical issues, a specific practice has been adopted. By means of a fast and simplified procedure, companies interested in settling in the PSE Pian Faloppia can ask the municipal executive for advance notice of the conformity of their activity with the intended use of the area.
To fulfil the appropriate evaluations, the Municipality employs an area manager and a group of experts who analyse the request according to the following criteria: the nature, type and degree of innovation of the industrial activity intended to be implemented in Pian Faloppia; the spin-offs and socio-economic effects for the area and the region in terms of employment, taxation and image; the territorial, environmental and urban impact of the activity; the potential synergies that may arise with the companies already established in terms of the exchange of know-how and shared management of resources. Particular importance is given to the employment of qualified human resources resident in the region and to the high added value created by the business activity.
If the company’s basic settlement criteria are fulfilled, a meeting is usually organized with the area manager and a representative of the municipal technical office.
4. Requested documentation
The Municipality enters into the matter of the request, through the PSE Pian Faloppia Technical Commission, only when the following documentation is submitted:
- A brief presentation of the company indicating its internal organization, the markets in which it operates and the sector to which it belongs.
- A detailed description of the activity to be carried out at the PSE Pian Faloppia. More specifically, the following must be indicated: the purpose of the new location/branch, the number of employees you intend to employ in the unit with their respective degrees of occupancy and qualifications, the presence or absence of a research and development division, the need for storage and handling of goods, etc.
- If research activities are carried out, the main partners and research institutes with which the company cooperates or has cooperated should be indicated.
- Company history, management and organizational chart.
- A brief overview of the contents, objectives and socio-economic impact of the settlement on the territory.
5. Municipal notice on intended use
The settlement request and the accompanying documentation are initially reviewed and evaluated by the area manager and the PSE Pian Faloppia Technical Commission.
Once the validity of the settlement request has been confirmed, it is discussed by the Municipality of Balerna – the competent authority regarding intended use – which issues the formal preliminary notice.
