Residents of Lermontov demanded that the city's green spaces not be developed.

Residents of Lermontov, Stavropol, have spoken out against the city administration's plan to allow activities known as "public catering" in public green spaces. Residents believe the terminology is a cover for officials' attempts to build high-rise and commercial buildings in the city.

A video appeal from Lermontov residents was published on the VKontakte page of Bloknot-Stavropol, a newspaper with over 27,000 subscribers. By 7:20 a.m. Moscow time, the post had garnered over 100 views.

"Today, June 18, 2026, we, residents of Lermontov, participated in a public hearing with the city administration. The hearing addressed the fundamental issue of land use and development regulations for Lermontov, so that the city administration can develop squares, parks—our green spaces, which are already in short supply due to the chaotic construction of high-rise buildings," a group of city activists said in the video.

As local residents explained, Lermontov has been repeatedly subjected to tree felling, and the green belt around the resort is rapidly shrinking. The new initiative by city officials could lead to the gradual displacement of green spaces by commercial development, when the most important thing is to set a precedent, the publication reports.

"This zone, by its very nature and purpose, is a zone of green spaces for public use. Such areas should be preserved, improved, and developed, and not become a platform for restaurants, cafes, canteens, snack bars, and bars," residents are indignant.

Activists are also concerned about the scale of potential food service establishments if local authorities do succeed in making changes.

"Why do we need four-story monstrosities up to 20 meters high, with a maximum development percentage of up to 60 percent and a minimum land area of ​​200 square meters? Are we really building a cafe?" Lermontov residents ask.

Residents insist that the implementation of such an initiative could lead to Tree felling, the creation of parking lots, increased traffic congestion, noise, garbage, and odors will seriously worsen the environment and the living conditions of ordinary citizens. Commercial development will continue unabated. Activists say the amendments do not provide sufficient guarantees for the preservation of green spaces.

"Today, one line is added to the regulations, tomorrow a specific site appears, and then residents get a fence, construction, logging, parking, and yet another explanation that everything is legal," residents say of their concerns.

Residents are confident that public green spaces should remain public green spaces. Therefore, on Thursday, June 18, activists attended a public hearing on this issue at the administration, where they categorically protested the amendments. Meanwhile, activists have signatures from around 300 city residents opposing the administration's initiative.

"We came to the public hearings and expressed our negative attitude towards this. We also added signatures from other residents to the public hearings, and there are about three hundred of them in total, and that's not all. We urged the administration to listen to us - not to build up the city further, especially parks and squares. A commission meeting will be held, and it will make a decision," Lermontov residents stated.

People are anxiously awaiting the commission meeting, where the results of the hearings will be considered, and are also asking the competent authorities to get involved in this issue, checking the legality of such initiatives.

"We are not opposed to the development of public catering in the city. However, such facilities should be located in areas designated for commercial and public-business development, and not in public green spaces. The city of Lermontov does not need a reduction in green spaces, but "To protect them," the activists concluded.

"Stop building up the city. At least leave us these green spaces," the townspeople demanded.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that Kislovodsk residents opposed the construction of a hotel in the resort center. According to resort town residents and environmentalists, the construction of a new hotel in the center creates a risk of landslides and threatens to damage the natural environment, in particular, it could damage the Narzan mineral deposits.