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Res. 19169-2024 Sala Constitucional · Sala Constitucional · 05/07/2024
OutcomeResultado
The Constitutional Chamber accepted the petitioner's withdrawal of the amparo action and ordered the case archived, finding that the action lacked a current legal interest.La Sala Constitucional acogió el desistimiento del recurso de amparo presentado por el recurrente y ordenó el archivo del expediente, al considerar que la acción carecía de interés actual.
SummaryResumen
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo action filed against the Municipality of San José alleging violations of fundamental rights related to the use of a community park in Urbanización Montealegre, Phase 1. The petitioner argued that the park, normatively intended for rest and ornamentation, was being used for incompatible activities such as sports, and that there was a lack of transparency regarding its public-domain status and management. Before the Chamber ruled on the merits, the petitioner submitted a brief withdrawing the amparo and requesting its complete dismissal. The Chamber accepted the withdrawal and ordered the case archived, finding that the action lacked a current legal interest due to the express withdrawal.La Sala Constitucional conoció un recurso de amparo interpuesto contra la Municipalidad de San José en el que se reclamaba la violación de derechos fundamentales relacionados con el uso de un parque comunitario en la Urbanización Montealegre, Etapa 1. El recurrente alegaba que el parque, definido normativamente para descanso y ornamentación, era utilizado para actividades incompatibles como deportes, y que existía falta de transparencia sobre su condición demanial y gestión. Antes de que la Sala se pronunciara sobre el fondo, el recurrente presentó un escrito desistiendo del amparo y solicitando su desestimación completa. La Sala acogió el desistimiento y ordenó el archivo del expediente, declarando que la acción carecía de interés actual debido al desistimiento expreso del promovente.
Key excerptExtracto clave
I.- ON THE SPECIFIC CASE. Having seen that, through a brief added to the Chamber's digital file at 11:05 a.m. on July 1, 2024, the petitioner withdrew this amparo and expressly requested that it “not be processed and be dismissed entirely.” Therefore, the action filed lacks current interest. Accordingly, this Court accepts the withdrawal and orders the archiving of this file.I.- SOBRE EL CASO CONCRETO. Visto que mediante escrito incorporado al expediente digital de la Sala a las 11:05 horas del 1 de julio de 2024, el recurrente desistió de este amparo y expresamente solicitó que “no se le dé trámite y se descarte por completo”. Por ende, la acción incoada carece de interés actual. Así las cosas, este Tribunal acoge el desistimiento y ordena el archivo de este expediente.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"Por ende, la acción incoada carece de interés actual. Así las cosas, este Tribunal acoge el desistimiento y ordena el archivo de este expediente."
"Therefore, the action filed lacks current interest. Accordingly, this Court accepts the withdrawal and orders the archiving of this file."
Considerando I
"Por ende, la acción incoada carece de interés actual. Así las cosas, este Tribunal acoge el desistimiento y ordena el archivo de este expediente."
Considerando I
Full documentDocumento completo
FILE No. 24-017550-0007-CO PROCEEDING: AMPARO ACTION RESOLUTION No. 2024019169 CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine thirty hours on July fifth, two thousand twenty-four.
Amparo action filed by [Nombre67345], identity card [CED49463], against the MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JOSÉ.
Whereas:
Article 38 prohibits throwing garbage, waste, or OBJECTS that harm the appearance or the very LIFE of PLANTS in PARKS, emphasizing the need to maintain these spaces in optimal condition. Article 39 stipulates that no stands of any kind may be set up in parks without the express authorization of the Municipalidad, and Article 40 prohibits the placement of furniture for commercial exploitation within parks without prior authorization. These provisions reinforce the obligation to preserve the integrity and original purpose of parks, underscoring the importance of their protection as natural and recreational spaces. In conclusion, the controversy presented falls within the constitutional legal sphere, since it questions compliance with constitutional and legal provisions related to the preservation of the environment and the protection of natural parks, without addressing aspects of ordinary law.
III. Legal-Constitutional Presentation of the Case The legal-constitutional problem lies in the incompatible use of the non-natural within the park, which undermines its purpose of recreation, REST, and ORNAMENTATION, and in the omission of responsibilities by the Concejo Municipal in resolving these situations, which violates the right to a healthy environment and the duty of accountability. In short, everything necessary for the RIGHT TO THE TRUTH in favor of fundamental rights. III.a. Object of the Appeal The violation of the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment is evident, since the authorities allow the continuation of USE for activities linked to NON-RECREATIONAL and NON-NATURAL purposes, such as sports on multi-use courts within the park. This contradicts the natural use that should prevail in the public park, as established by constitutional case law. This demanial park is defined for RECREATION, focusing on ORNAMENTATION and REST.
In this sense, it is clarified that the object of this appeal is solely to examine how the recreational nature of the (...) In this regard, before proceeding to examine the specific case, it should be recalled the relationship that the case law of this Chamber has established: THE NATURAL USE OF THE PUBLIC THING PREVAILS and the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. Name67346. 'Description of the Problem? 1. 'Definition and Purpose of the Park:' Pursuant to Article 6 of the INVU Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanizaciones and Article 37 of the Ley de Construcciones, the park must be a WOODED AND GRASSED AREA intended for recreation, REST, and ORNAMENTATION for the community. This is equally congruent with the definition of Park as referred to by the Real Academia Española (RAE) in a universal context that transcends borders. The case law of the Sala Constitucional, in Judgment No. 2306-91, establishes that the NATURAL USE of the public thing PREVAILS, which allows terminating any incompatible or controversial use from the highest Constitutional level. 2. 'Persistence of Incompatible Non-Natural Use:' An incompatible use of non-natural elements has been observed in the park, which is primarily intended for REST and ORNAMENTATION, in accordance with case law that privileges the natural use of the public thing.
These unauthorized activities generate significant disturbances that negatively affect the experience of citizens seeking to enjoy the park as a space of tranquility and recreation through REST and ORNAMENTATION. Furthermore, the uncontrolled entry of people with any type of object, including weapons or other elements where even vehicle license plate numbers (with public faith) are recorded within the PARK, compromises the safety and tranquility of those who visit to rest, forcing them to remain alert and affecting their ability to enjoy what, on proven paper, is a full natural environment but this reality is prevented from being restored. The consumption of alcohol, smoking, the use of speakers, motors, and other disruptive behaviors not limited only to shouting, along with the installation of sports structures among others and objects in general without clear authorization or defined responsible parties, contribute to the deterioration of the area's peaceful environment.
Consequently, these USES and activities undermine the original purpose of the PARK, which is to provide an environment of REST and ORNAMENTATION where the NATURAL use of the public thing must prevail. 3. 'Omission of the Local Government:' The Local Government, in its capacity as administrator of local interests and services in accordance with Article 169 of the Constitución Política de Costa Rica, has not implemented effective measures to resolve these problems. In 2011, Ulises Alexander Cano Castro, then President of the Concejo Municipal and current Councilor, presented a sworn report before this instance. This report did not result in concrete actions to address the problems, which has translated into a process of seeking the truth and finding solutions to end the situation of prevalent social chaos that seriously affects fundamental rights. On November 23, 2021, the excerpt from the sworn report was recalled during the plenary session of the Concejo Municipal during Councilor Cano Castro's term, with the purpose of highlighting its relevance and ensuring it is not lost sight of in the constitutional instance where it can be consulted (Resolution No. 2011016015 of November 25, 2011).
However, the ethical urgency of providing updates, documentary updates, or additional notes on the matter before said instance has allegedly not been observed, a crucial aspect for the right to the truth and the protection of fundamental rights, especially given that documentary support has not been found, in accordance with regulations but more so because the information reported was considered important by the Magistrates to resolve in the case resolution, as You have textually recorded it thus. III. Effects of the problem to be resolved The appeal reaffirms the importance of guaranteeing the RIGHT TO THE TRUTH, PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT, and PRESERVING DEMANIAL PROPERTY in accordance with the PRINCIPLES AND NORMS OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. Additionally, it underscores the need to address specific situations that may compromise the enjoyment and safety of these spaces, in compliance with the current legal and constitutional order.
IV. Verification of Requirements for the Constitutional Amparo Appeal a) The Facts or Omissions Motivating the Filing of this Appeal: 1. That in the Montealegre de Zapote Urbanization there is a park with sports facilities and a small building where the Developer reliably identifies the community facility ONLY as a natural PARK without constructions or any other distinction, coloring it GREEN with natural graphics consistent with the regulated definition of PARK [controverted fact]. 2. Ulises Alexander Cano Castro, former President of the Concejo Municipal and current councilor, who provided a sworn report in 2011 to This Honorable Chamber, but the minutes where the Concejo Municipal determines the questioned community facilities as required by regulations could not be located. (see report from the Municipalidad de San José Resolution No. 2011016015 of November 25, 2011) [controverted fact] 3.
The report presented by the Municipalidad de San José is considered lacking in transparency by not specifying the demanial condition and the non-observance of the natural use of the park, affecting the right of access to public information and effective judicial protection. 4. Use of the community park for activities incompatible with its original purpose of REST and ORNAMENTATION, thus violating the right to a healthy environment and the natural use of public spaces. [controverted fact] 5. Omission to notify the magistrates and to consult with the Procuraduría General de la República regarding {the demanial condition [uncontroverted fact]} and the {natural use of the park [CONTROVERTED fact]}, which raises constitutional concerns about transparency and equity in the administration of justice, as well as the preservation of public heritage. 6. Non-compliance with constitutional and case-law regulations that establish the inalienability and imprescriptibility of demanial property, such as parks, which compromises their ownership and adequate use. 7.
Non-natural uses that prevent REST IN THE PARK, constituting a direct violation of the constitutional rights that protect the USE and enjoyment of public spaces, where case law guides that the NATURAL USE of the public thing PREVAILS according to Judgment No. 2306-91. b) Rights Violated or Threatened: 1. 'RIGHT TO THE TRUTH' Violated by failing to provide complete and transparent information on the administration and USE of the park, preventing access to public information. Citizens have the right to receive truthful and complete information from the authorities, necessary for effective judicial protection, even more so when it aligns with the right of access to public information about a DEMANIAL PROPERTY regarding what was reported under oath cited as of interest by the Magistrates when resolving. References: Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos, Article 25; Judgmentes of the Sala Constitucional on transparency and access to public information; Accountability for what was reported under oath as stated by the Defensoría de los Habitantes regarding the obligation to render accounts established in Article 11 of the Constitución Política in another case, but pertinent to this one as it fails to guarantee the adequate and transparent management of public spaces in accordance with the standards that guarantee their integrity and maintenance where the NATURAL USE of the public thing prevails according to Judgment No. 2306-91. 2. 'RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT' The use of the park for activities that are not for REST or ornamentation is considered a violation of the right to a healthy environment, guaranteed by Article 50 of the Constitución Política de Costa Rica.
References: Constitución Política de Costa Rica, Article 50; Ley de Planificación Urbana, Law No. 4240; Ley de Construcciones, Law 833; definition of Park according to the INVU Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanizaciones, itself congruent with the universal one from the RAE. 3. 'RIGHT TO REST:' Specifically in relation to the USE of the park for REST and ORNAMENTATION, with the use of the park for purposes other than REST and ORNAMENTATION being considered a direct violation of the RIGHT TO REST, defining park for rest and ornamentation. It separately defines park and community facilities where they concur in the recreational aspect and differentiate in the sports aspect. c) Name of the Public Servant or Body Author of the Threats or Grievances: As it concerns a demanial property, the prudent course would be for the Procuraduría General de la República (PGR) to determine them, with criteria and greater expertise in the matter as appropriate according to law.
If the direct participation of the PGR is not possible, which represents the interests of the State regarding the demanial property, and considering what was previously cited, the following is presumed to protect what is URGENT and ESSENTIAL regarding a PARK: Presumptively Responsible Body: 'Municipalidad de San José (MSJ):' As the entity presenting the report lacking transparency and reference is made to the omission to notify the magistrates and consult with the Procuraduría General de la República of any new finding, which implies possible responsibility on the part of the authorities charged with making informed decisions related to the park. This entity has been cited by other respondent authorities as the one responsible for resolving the situation in accordance with the PRINCIPLE OF MUNICIPAL AUTONOMY, although it claims legal limitations to address it. *Notes Considering the participation of various authorities that argue that the responsibility to resolve the situation falls exclusively on the Municipality, in order not to contravene the principle of municipal autonomy, it is crucial to refer to the precedent established by the Sala Constitucional de Costa Rica in VOTO No. 4480-1994.
This establishes that the protection of the environment constitutes a responsibility shared by ALL public institutions, which MUST comply with current legislation and PROMOTE PREVENTIVE or MITIGATING actions for environmental risks. Therefore, it is arguable and doubtful to obviate responsibility unilaterally. In accordance with these principles and the right to the truth, it is imperative to consider ALL RELEVANT ACTORS to ensure transparency and justice in the protection of fundamental rights. This will prevent similar grievances from being repeated, persisting, or replicated in this or other PARKS, through a structural judgment. (...) VII.b. Petition Therefore, by virtue of the foregoing, I respectfully request this Honorable Sala Constitucional to: 1. 'Admit' this constitutional amparo appeal. 2. 'Declare' that the right to a healthy environment enshrined in Article 50 of the Constitución Política de Costa Rica has been violated.
This right has been recognized and protected by Costa Rican constitutional case law, including Voto No. 4480-1994 of the Sala Constitucional de Costa Rica which underscores the responsibility of public institutions in environmental protection. 3. 'Declare' that the right of access to public information, guaranteed by Article 30 of the Constitución Política de Costa Rica, has been infringed, directly affecting the right to the truth. The lack of transparency and adequate information on the management and decisions related to the community park prevents citizens from obtaining truthful and transparent information on matters of public interest. This is supported by the vote of Magistrate Paul Rueda Leal (Voto 2020-016167) which emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in public management over essential public services. 4. 'Declare' that the right to REST has been violated, implicitly enshrined in the constitutional principles related to quality of life and the adequate use of public spaces.
I base this request on Judgment No. 2306-91 of the Sala Constitucional de Costa Rica, which establishes that, in case of conflicting interests, THE NATURAL USE OF THE PUBLIC THING MUST PREVAIL. 5. 'Order' the competent authorities, including the Municipalidad de San José and the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU) supported by the Fuerza Pública and the Policía Municipal among others that may collaborate, to take the necessary actions to restore the adequate use of the community park of the Montealegre Urbanization, Stage 1, in accordance with the provisions of the INVU Reglamento de Fraccionamiento y Urbanizaciones just as a PARK is defined, respecting REST and ORNAMENTATION reinforced by constitutional case law where the NATURAL USE of the public thing PREVAILS. It is reaffirmed through case law that establishes the inalienability and imprescriptibility of demanial property such as parks (Judgment No. 2306-91). 6. 'Instruct' the corresponding authorities to guarantee transparency and accountability in the management of the community park, in compliance with Article 11 of the Constitución Política de Costa Rica and the case law that supports these principles, including Resolution No. 20387-2022 which highlights the obligation of authorities to verify the existence of records for a clear and definitive solution. 7. 'Order' the implementation of effective control and supervision mechanisms to prevent future violations of fundamental rights related to the use of demanial property such as the PARK in question, ensuring access to information for the affected community of what has been reliably proven.
This is supported by case law that emphasizes the protection and adequate use of public property, as mentioned in PGR Legal Opinion: 091 - J of 09/29/2009 by Constitutional Procurador Dr. Fernando Castillo Víquez. By virtue of the legal and constitutional grounds presented, I request that this Honorable Sala Constitucional favorably accept the present amparo appeal, thus protecting the fundamental rights IN THE PARK of the Montealegre Urbanization, Stage 1."
Drafted by Magistrate Castillo Víquez; and,
Considering:
Given that by document incorporated into the digital case file of the Chamber at 11:05 a.m. on July 1, 2024, the appellant withdrew this amparo and expressly requested that "it not be processed and be completely discarded." Therefore, the initiated action lacks current interest. Thus, this Court accepts the withdrawal and orders the archiving of this case file.
The parties are warned that, if they have provided any paper document, as well as objects or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, telematic device or produced by new technologies, these must be withdrawn from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, all material not withdrawn within this period will be destroyed, in accordance with the provisions of the "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", approved by the Corte Plena in session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, article XXVI and published in the Boletín Judicial number 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, in session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, article LXXXI.
Therefore:
The appeal is deemed withdrawn. Archive the case file.
Fernando Castillo V.
President Jorge Araya G.
Ana María Picado B.
Alejandro Delgado F.
Aracelly Pacheco S.
Alexandra Alvarado P.
Jose Roberto Garita N.
Telephones: 2549-1500 / 800-SALA-4TA (800-7252-482). Fax: 2295-3712 / 2549-1633. Email: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Sabana Sur, Calle Morenos, 100 mts. South of the Iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro). Reception of matters from vulnerable groups: Edificio Corte Suprema de Justicia, San José, Distrito Catedral, Barrio González Lahmann, calles 19 y 21, Dirección 17 It is a faithful copy of the original - Taken from Nexus.PJ on: 05-08-2026 15:00:18.
PROCESO: RECURSO DE AMPARO RESOLUCIÓN Nº 2024019169 SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas treinta minutos del cinco de julio de dos mil veinticuatro .
Recurso de amparo interpuesto por Nombre67345 , cédula de identidad CED49463, contra la MUNICIPALIDAD DE SAN JOSÉ.
Resultando:
Redacta el Magistrado Castillo Víquez; y,
Considerando:
Visto que mediante escrito incorporado al expediente digital de la Sala a las 11:05 horas del 1 de julio de 2024, el recurrente desistió de este amparo y expresamente solicitó que “no se le dé trámite y se descarte por completo”. Por ende, la acción incoada carece de interés actual. Así las cosas, este Tribunal acoge el desistimiento y ordena el archivo de este expediente.
Se previene a las partes que, de haber aportado algún documento en papel, así como objetos o pruebas contenidas en algún dispositivo adicional de carácter electrónico, informático, magnético, óptico, telemático o producido por nuevas tecnologías, estos deberán ser retirados del despacho en un plazo máximo de 30 días hábiles contados a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. De lo contrario, será destruido todo aquel material que no sea retirado dentro de este plazo, según lo dispuesto en el "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", aprobado por la Corte Plena en sesión N° 27-11 del 22 de agosto del 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial número 19 del 26 de enero del 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la sesión N° 43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo del 2012, artículo LXXXI.
Por tanto:
Se tiene por desistido el recurso. Archívese el expediente.
Fernando Castillo V.
Jorge Araya G.
Ana María Picado B.
Alejandro Delgado F.
Aracelly Pacheco S.
Alexandra Alvarado P.
Jose Roberto Garita N.
Document not found. Documento no encontrado.