Due to a conflict of interest: Approval of the plan to build 9,000 apartments in Hod HaSharon delayed again
The objections investigator for the "Nof Yarkon" plan resigned due to a conflict of interest, as he had professional ties with an appraiser who submitted an opinion on the project. This is expected to further delay the 9,000-unit housing project, which has been in the works for three decades.
Another delay has hit the advancement of the "Nof Yarkon" plan in the south of Hod HaSharon — a project that has been in the works for nearly three decades. The objections investigator for the plan, Adib Nakkash, announced the end of his role due to a conflict of interest. Now, the Central District Planning and Building Committee must appoint a new investigator to restart the objection hearing stage.
Nof Yarkon, formerly known as "Hod HaYarkon," spans approximately 2,232 dunams. The project envisions the construction of 9,000 new apartments, alongside about 432,000 square meters of space for public buildings, 145,000 square meters for employment, and 35,250 square meters of commercial space.
The objection stage began about two weeks ago and was scheduled to last a month, with four days of hearings planned. A total of 137 objections were filed, including those from the Hod HaSharon Municipality, which has opposed the plan for years, and the South Sharon Regional Council. However, after the very first day of hearings, Adib Nakkash announced he was stepping down.
The Central District Committee stated: "It emerged that an expert opinion from an appraiser was attached to one of the objections, with whom the plan's investigator has professional working relations." In response to a query from Globes, the committee noted that the planning institution will act to appoint a new investigator and coordinate new dates for the hearings.
Market sources note that this development completely disrupts the project's schedule and may cause significant additional delays, as a new investigator will need time to study the materials before setting new hearing dates.
"Will lead to further delays"
In his response to Globes, the Mayor of Hod HaSharon and Chairman of the Local Planning and Building Committee, Amir Kochavi, stated:
"'Dira LeHaskir' is a company that fails to meet the goals of its establishment. Choosing an objections investigator without conducting an in-depth check for conflicts of interest, or ignoring them until after hearings have begun, is a failure of such scale that it requires a deep investigation into the conduct of 'Dira LeHaskir' and the District Committee. This will obviously lead to further delays in the plan."
It should be noted that as the entity submitting the plan, "Dira LeHaskir" is not responsible for selecting the investigator, and the matter is outside its area of responsibility.
The company stated: "We operate throughout the country under the guidance and in cooperation with planning institutions and local authorities. The 'Nof Yarkon' plan is a significant project, and we will continue to work diligently and responsibly to advance it and address the housing needs of the city and the region."
The Central District Planning and Building Committee added: "During the initial examination, no conflict of interest was identified. Only after reviewing the expert opinions attached to the objections did it become clear to the investigator that one was submitted by an appraiser with whom he has professional ties. He announced his resignation on his own initiative to prevent any concerns. This conduct demonstrates integrity and transparency; therefore, the criticism directed at the investigator is puzzling. Equally puzzling is the claim of delaying the plan when the local authority itself is trying in every way to stall the process. We will act to appoint a new investigator as soon as possible."
