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Res. 00121-2006 Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo Sección II · Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo Sección II · 17/03/2006
OutcomeResultado
The Tilarán Municipal Council's agreement eliminating a taxi stand was annulled due to lack of jurisdiction vis-à-vis the Public Transport Council, and the administrative route was exhausted.Se anuló el acuerdo del Concejo Municipal de Tilarán que eliminó una parada de taxis, por carecer de competencia frente al Consejo de Transporte Público, y se agotó la vía administrativa.
SummaryResumen
The Second Section of the Administrative Appeals Court reviewed a municipal appeal against a decision by the Tilarán Municipal Council that eliminated a taxi stand located on the south side of the municipal market. The appellant, a taxi driver, argued that the stand had been established by the Public Transport Council (CTP), which holds exclusive authority to set taxi stands under the Regulatory Law for Remunerated Public Transport of Persons by Vehicle in Taxi Mode. The Court analyzed Articles 3, 5, 6, and 7 of that law, which grant the CTP the power to establish terminal and intermediate stops for taxis. It concluded that the Municipal Council lacked legal authority to unilaterally alter a taxi stand established by the CTP, rendering the municipal agreement illegal and subject to annulment. The ruling further relied on Constitutional Chamber case law regarding the distribution of powers over road regulation between the MOPT and municipalities, which must coordinate actions while respecting local regulatory plans. The appeal was granted, the municipal agreement was annulled, and the administrative route was deemed exhausted.El Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo, Sección Segunda, conoció de una apelación municipal contra un acuerdo del Concejo Municipal de Tilarán que eliminó una parada de taxis ubicada al costado sur del mercado municipal. El apelante, un taxista, alegó que la parada había sido fijada por el Consejo de Transporte Público (CTP), órgano con competencia exclusiva para ello según la Ley Reguladora del Servicio Público de Transporte Remunerado de Personas en Vehículos en la Modalidad de Taxi. El Tribunal analizó los artículos 3, 5, 6 y 7 de dicha ley, que otorgan al CTP la facultad de fijar paradas terminales e intermedias de taxis. Concluyó que el Concejo Municipal carecía de competencia legal para variar unilateralmente una parada establecida por el CTP, por lo que el acuerdo municipal era ilegal y debía anularse. El fallo se apoyó además en jurisprudencia de la Sala Constitucional sobre la distribución de competencias en materia de ordenación vial entre el MOPT y las municipalidades, que deben coordinarse respetando los planes reguladores locales. Se declaró con lugar la apelación, anulando el acuerdo municipal y agotando la vía administrativa.
Key excerptExtracto clave
Under these circumstances, the Municipal Council has no legal authority to alter a taxi stand that had been established by the Public Transport Council. Therefore, the challenged agreement is illegal and must be annulled. V.- The fact that, as indicated in ordinary session number 149 of March 9, 2005, a motion for reconsideration was filed by the Municipality of Tilarán against the resolution of the Executive Secretariat of the Public Transport Council, number CTP-SE-03-002050, a point which in any case was not proven by the Municipality, does not grant it the power to eliminate the taxi stand located at the South side of the Municipal Market. THEREFORE: The challenged agreement is annulled. The administrative route is deemed exhausted.En estas condiciones, no cuenta el Concejo Municipal, con ninguna facultad legal, para variar una parada de taxis que había sido establecida por el Consejo de Transporte Público. y por ello, el acuerdo impugnado es ilegal y merece ser anulado.- V.- El hecho, de que tal y como se indica en la sesión ordinaria número 149 de 9 de marzo de 2005, se haya presentado revocatoria por parte de la Municipalidad de Tilarán, en contra de la resolución de la Secretaría Ejecutiva del Consejo de Transporte Público, número CTP-SE-03-002050, extremo que en todo caso no fue acreditado por el Ayuntamiento, no le da la potestad de eliminar la parada de taxis ubicada en el Dirección7209 .- POR TANTO: Se anula el acuerdo impugnado. Se da por agotada la vía administrativa.-
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"no cuenta el Concejo Municipal, con ninguna facultad legal, para variar una parada de taxis que había sido establecida por el Consejo de Transporte Público."
"the Municipal Council has no legal authority to alter a taxi stand that had been established by the Public Transport Council."
Considerando IV
"no cuenta el Concejo Municipal, con ninguna facultad legal, para variar una parada de taxis que había sido establecida por el Consejo de Transporte Público."
Considerando IV
"la regulación de la circulación de los vehículos, personas y semovientes en las vías, de las gasolineras y estacionamientos públicos, la definición de la seguridad vial, su financiamiento, pago de impuestos, multas y derechos de tránsito y lo referente a la propiedad de los vehículos automotores ... son tareas específicas que derivan de la ordenación general de las vías públicas, que por su naturaleza son temas nacionales, no locales (municipales)."
"the regulation of the circulation of vehicles, persons and livestock on roads, of gas stations and public parking lots, the definition of road safety, its financing, payment of taxes, fines and traffic duties, and matters concerning the ownership of motor vehicles ... are specific tasks that derive from the general ordering of public roads, which by their nature are national, not local (municipal) matters."
Considerando VI (citando Voto 5445-99 Sala Constitucional)
"la regulación de la circulación de los vehículos, personas y semovientes en las vías, de las gasolineras y estacionamientos públicos, la definición de la seguridad vial, su financiamiento, pago de impuestos, multas y derechos de tránsito y lo referente a la propiedad de los vehículos automotores ... son tareas específicas que derivan de la ordenación general de las vías públicas, que por su naturaleza son temas nacionales, no locales (municipales)."
Considerando VI (citando Voto 5445-99 Sala Constitucional)
Full documentDocumento completo
121-2006 **CONTENTIOUS-ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL. SECOND SECTION. II Judicial Circuit.** San José, at eleven hours forty minutes on March seventeen, two thousand six.
**Municipal Appeal** filed by **Nombre65455**, whose qualifications do not appear in the record, identity card number CED48405 – – , against Article 34 of the Municipal Council of Tilarán, taken at Ordinary Session number 145 held on February 9, 2005.- **Judge Ferrero Aymerich writes, and** **WHEREAS:** **I.-** The following is established as proven: **1.-** that the Municipality of Tilarán, in ordinary session number 145, article 34 of February 9, 2005, notified by official letter SCM-104-20058 of the 15th of the cited month and year, the Council, unanimously and definitively, eliminated the taxi stand located on the South side of the Municipal Market and, at the same time, designated a loading and unloading area for customers of that marketplace (folios 1 to 12); **2.-** that by a note presented on the eighteenth following, Mr. Nombre65455 filed motions for reconsideration (revocatoria) and appeal. In ordinary session number 146 of February 23, it was referred to the legal advisor (folios 11 to 13); **3.-** that in ordinary session number 149, article 35, of March nine, it denied the first and admitted the appeal to this Tribunal (folios 14 to 28).- **II.-** It is established as not proven, the resolution of the Executive Secretariat of Public Transport, number CTP-SE 03-002050 of November 27, 2003, nor the motion for reconsideration (revocatoria) filed by the City Council against it. Despite evidence being ordered for better resolution in that regard, the Corporation indicates that they do not have such documents.- **III.-** In this instance, no grievances were expressed. In the writ challenging the Municipality's decision, the appellant claims he has a subjective right acquired in good faith, in accordance with the resolution of the Executive Secretariat of the Public Transport Council (Consejo de Transporte Público) that established the taxi stand on the South side of the Municipal Market. According to numeral 155 of the General Public Administration Law (Ley General de la Administración Pública), he says, acts cannot be rendered ineffective without the legally established procedure, and that the contrary causes him damages and losses "(...) which must be liquidated by the Municipal Administration (...)".- **IV.-** After studying the certifications, the Tribunal reaches the conviction that the appellant is correct. The Regulatory Law for the Public Service of Remunerated Transport of Persons in Vehicles in the Taxi Mode (Ley Reguladora del Servicio Público de Transporte Remunerado de Personas en Vehículos en la Modalidad de Taxi), establishes in subsection a) of article 3, that:
*a) The Public Transport Council (Consejo de Transporte Público), a maximum deconcentration body of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, regulates and controls remunerated transport of persons in the taxi mode throughout the national territory. (...)"* Likewise, CHAPTER II, concerning the "PUBLIC TRANSPORT COUNCIL", in ordinal 5, creates the Public Transport Council, hereinafter the Council, as a body with maximum deconcentration, with instrumental legal personality. For its part, the following one – 6 -, concerning its legal nature, qualifies it as the body:
*"(...) specialized in public transport matters and attached to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.* *It shall be responsible for defining policies and executing national plans and programs related to matters within its competence; for this purpose, it shall coordinate its activities with public institutions and bodies with concurrent or related attributions to those of the Council.* *The Council shall establish, in the main population centers of the country, the offices it deems necessary to facilitate administrative procedures regarding the application of this law. To fulfill its purposes, the Council may enter into all kinds of acts, contracts, and agreements with both public and private entities and persons."* For its part, it is numeral 7 that is responsible for defining the attributions of that Council, and from it, it is important to highlight subsection i), which grants it the competence to *"(...) i) Establish the terminal and intermediate stops for all remunerated public transport services for persons (...)"* (emphasis not in original).
Under these conditions, the Municipal Council has no legal authority to change a taxi stand that had been established by the Public Transport Council, and therefore, the challenged agreement is illegal and merits being annulled.- **V.-** The fact that, as indicated in ordinary session number 149 of March 9, 2005, a motion for reconsideration (revocatoria) was presented by the Municipality of Tilarán against the resolution of the Executive Secretariat of the Public Transport Council, number CTP-SE-03-002050, an extreme that was in any case not proven by the City Council, does not give it the power to eliminate the taxi stand located at Dirección7209.- **VI.-** Apart from the foregoing, the Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional) has already issued a criterion in this regard. In its judgment number 005445-99 of 14 hours 30 minutes of July 14, 1999, it established the following:
*"(...) **XVI.- ON ARTICLE 2 OF THE LAW ON TRANSIT ON PUBLIC LAND ROADS** (Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres). This rule is challenged insofar as it entrusts the administration and execution of the Law (on Transit on Public Land Roads) to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, without making the general exception of local competences, which excludes municipalities from their powers to establish parking zones, authorize the transit of vehicles with loudspeakers (in relation to article 102 ibid.), mark pedestrian crossing zones, and designate bus stops, authorize the closure of streets for various events (in relation to article 125 of the same Law). Indeed, as the plaintiff points out, urban planning (ordenación urbanística) or urban planning (planificación urbana) corresponds to local governments, for which they are empowered to adopt the regulatory plan (plan regulador) and related urban development regulations in the areas where it must govern, a competence that has been repeatedly recognized by this Tribunal (among others, see judgments numbers 2153-93; 5305-93. Telf777, Telf778 and Telf779), and that must be understood in the terms provided in national legislation as* *"[...] the continuous and integral process of analysis and formulation of plans and regulations on urban development, aimed at ensuring the safety, health, comfort, and well-being of the community";* *according to the definition given by the Urban Planning Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana) itself, number 4240, in its article 1°, a matter in which municipalities have exclusive competence in accordance with the provisions of constitutional article 169 and article 15 of that law, as it provides:* *"In accordance with the precept of article 169 of the Political Constitution, the competence and authority of municipal governments to plan and control urban development, within the limits of their jurisdictional territory, is recognized";* *and that article 4 subsection 4) of the repealed Municipal Code, law number 4574, itself developed as follows* *"Municipalities are responsible for the administration of local services and interests, in order to promote the integral development of the cantons in harmony with national development.* *Within the duties of the Municipalities, they shall:* *[...]* *4) Establish a comprehensive urban planning policy in accordance with the respective law and the provisions of this Code, which pursues the efficient and harmonious development of urban centers and guarantees at least; efficient electrification and communication services; good systems for the provision of drinking water and the evacuation of wastewater, through adequate aqueduct and sewerage systems; modern lighting and ornamental systems for cities; efficient construction, repair, and cleaning services for streets and other public roads; adequate programs for parks, gardens, and green areas for public use; social interest housing programs and in general concrete and practical plans to make the life of the urban population comfortable."* *Likewise, it must be remembered that there are streets that are municipal, in accordance with the classification of the national road network made by the General Public Roads Law, number 5060, in its article 1°, as the cantonal road network is made up of the* *"a) Local roads (Caminos vecinales): public roads that provide direct access to farms and other rural economic activities; they link hamlets and towns with the National Road Network, and are characterized by having low traffic volumes and high proportions of short-distance local trips.* *b) Local streets (Calles locales): Public roads included within the quadrant of an urban area, not classified as urban crossings of the National Road Network.* *c) Unclassified roads (Caminos no clasificados): Public roads not classified within the categories described above, such as bridle paths, footpaths, trails, that provide access to very few users, who shall bear the maintenance and improvement costs";* *whose administration corresponds exclusively to the municipalities. In this same sense, it should not be forgotten that developers must provide for the space required for public roads, which must be transferred to the municipal corporations upon completion of the construction of the development (article 40 of the Urban Planning Law).* *For its part, urban planning (ordenación urbanística) is closely related to the regulation of public land roads that are intended for general public service and use, a matter that by legal definition has been assigned to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport; according to the definition of its own creation Law, when it indicates, in what is relevant:* *"The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has as its object:* *a) [...] To regulate and control the rights of way of existing or projected highways. To regulate, control, and monitor transit and transport on public roads."* *Therefore, the regulation of the circulation of vehicles, persons, and livestock on roads, of gas stations and public parking lots, the definition of road safety, its financing, payment of taxes, fines, and transit fees, and matters related to the ownership of motor vehicles (article 1° of the Law on Transit on Public Land Roads) are specific tasks that derive from the general regulation of public roads, which by their nature are national, not local (municipal) matters, and consequently correspond to the Executive Branch to carry out their regulation; so that it is the Ministry of Public Works and Transport that dictates and executes the regulation regarding concessions for remunerated public transport of persons, defines the location of bus stops, and the signage of public roads, for example. However, in accordance with what is stated in Whereas Clause X of this judgment, this is a task that the MOPT must carry out in coordination with local functions, in the terms indicated in the challenged rule and in the provisions of the analyzed article 5 of the repealed Municipal Code and article 7 of the new legal body, so that when the regulation of public roads is issued, it must be done respecting the local legal order, which is equivalent in this matter, that it must be done in accordance with the regulatory plans (planes reguladores) issued by the municipalities for their territorial jurisdiction where they exist, or in coordination with them to resolve what is most convenient, in jurisdictions where regulatory plans do not exist. In view of the foregoing considerations, article 2 of the Law on Transit on Public Land Roads is not a violation of municipal autonomy, and therefore the action must be declared without merit on this point as well (…)".-* **VII.-** By provision of articles 181 and 351 of the General Public Administration Law, the administrative channel must be deemed exhausted.- **THEREFORE:** The challenged agreement is annulled. The administrative channel is deemed exhausted.- such as bridle paths, footpaths, and trails that provide access to very few users, who shall bear the costs of maintenance and improvement"; </span></p><p style="margin:0pt 28.35pt; text-align:justify; line-height:150%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-style:italic">whose administration corresponds exclusively to the municipalities. In this same sense, it should not be forgotten that developers (urbanizadores) must provide the space required for public roads, which must be transferred to the municipal corporations upon completion of the development's construction (Article 40 of the Urban Planning Law). </span></p><p style="margin:0pt 28.35pt; text-align:justify; line-height:150%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-style:italic">For its part, urban planning (ordenación urbanística) is closely related to the regulation of public land roads that are intended for general public service and use, a matter that by legal definition has been assigned to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT); according to the definition in the very Law of its creation, when it states, in relevant part: </span></p><p style="margin:0pt 28.35pt; text-align:justify; line-height:150%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-style:italic">"The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has the following purpose: </span></p><p style="margin:0pt 28.35pt; text-align:justify; line-height:150%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-style:italic">a) [...] To regulate and control the rights-of-way of existing or planned highways. To regulate, control, and monitor traffic and transport on public roads." </span></p><p style="margin:0pt 28.35pt; text-align:justify; line-height:150%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Therefore, the regulation of the circulation of vehicles, persons, and livestock on roads, of gas stations and public parking lots, the definition of road safety, its financing, payment of taxes, fines and traffic fees, and matters relating to the ownership of motor vehicles (Article 1 of the Traffic on Public Land Roads Law) are specific tasks that derive from the general regulation of public roads, which by their nature are national, not local (municipal), issues, and consequently it is the responsibility of the Executive Branch to carry out their regulation; thus, it is the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) which dictates and executes regulations concerning concessions (concesiones) of remunerated public transportation of persons, defines the location of bus stops, and signs public roads, for example. However, in accordance with what is stated in Considerando X of this judgment, this is a task that MOPT must carry out in coordination with local functions, under the terms set forth in the challenged rule and in the provisions of the analyzed Article 5 of the repealed Municipal Code and Article 7 of the new legal body, so that when the regulation of public roads is dictated, it must be done respecting the local legal order, which means in this matter, that it must be done in accordance with the regulatory plans (planes reguladores) dictated by the municipalities for their territorial jurisdiction where they exist, or in coordination with them to resolve what is most convenient, in jurisdictions where regulatory plans do not exist. In view of the foregoing considerations, Article 2 of the Traffic on Public Land Roads Law does not violate municipal autonomy, and therefore the action must be dismissed, also on this point (…)".- </span></p><p style="margin-top:5pt; margin-bottom:5pt; text-indent:35.4pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline">VII.-</span><span> </span><span> Pursuant to Articles</span><span> </span><span> 181 and 351 of the General Law of Public Administration, the administrative remedy (vía administrativa) is deemed exhausted.-</span></p><h2 style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; page-break-after:avoid; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-style:italic">THEREFORE:</span></h2><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> The challenged agreement is annulled.</span><span> </span><span> The administrative remedy (vía administrativa) is deemed exhausted.-</span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span> </span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span> </span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span> </span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Sonia Ferrero Aymerich</span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Nombre5180</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; -aw-import:spaces"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"> Hubert Fernández Argüello</span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Expediente: 05-000118-161-CA</span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Municipal</span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Nombre65455</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic; -aw-import:spaces"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">contra</span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Municipalidad de Tilarán</span></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify; line-height:200%; font-size:14pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">dcespedes</span></p> **121-2006** **CONTENTIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL. SECOND SECTION. II Judicial Circuit.** ** San José, at eleven hours forty minutes on the seventeenth of March of two thousand six.** **Municipal Appeal** filed by **Nombre65455**, whose qualifications are not in the record, identity card number CED48405 – – – –, against Article 34 of the Municipal Council of Tilarán, adopted in Ordinary Session number 145 held on February 9, 2005.- **Judge Ferrero Aymerich writes, and** *CONSIDERING:* **I.-** The following has been demonstrated: **1.-** that the Municipality of Tilarán, in ordinary session number 145, article 34 of February 9, 2005, notified via official letter SCM-104-20058 of the 15th of the cited month and year, the Council, unanimously and definitively, eliminated the taxi stand located on the South side of the Municipal Market and, at the same time, designated a loading and unloading area for customers of that marketplace (folios 1 to 12); **2.-** that by a note filed on the eighteenth following, Mr. Nombre65455 filed motions for reconsideration (revocatoria) and appeal. In ordinary session number 146 of February 23, it was referred to the legal advisor (folios 11 to 13); **3.-** that in ordinary session number 149, article 35, of March ninth, it denied the first and admitted the appeal to this Tribunal (folios 14 to 28).- **II.-** It has not been proven, the resolution of the Executive Secretariat of Public Transport, number CTP-SE 03-002050 of November 27, 2003, nor the motion for reconsideration (revocatoria) filed by the City Council against it. Even though evidence for better resolution was ordered in that regard, the Corporation indicates they do not have such documents.- **III.-** At this instance, no grievances were expressed. In the brief challenging the Municipality's decision, the appellant alleges that he has a good faith subjective right, in accordance with the resolution of the Executive Secretariat of the Public Transport Council that established the taxi stand on the South side of the Municipal Market. According to numeral 155 of the General Law of Public Administration, he says, acts cannot be voided without the legally established procedure, and that the contrary causes him damages and losses *“(…) that must be liquidated by the Municipal Administration (…)”.-* **IV.-** After studying the testimonials, the Tribunal arrives at the conviction that the appellant is correct. The Regulatory Law of the Public Service of Remunerated Transport of Persons in Vehicles in the Taxi Mode establishes in subsection a) of Article 3, that:
*a) The Public Transport Council, a maximum deconcentration (desconcentración máxima) body of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, regulates and controls remunerated transport of persons in the taxi mode throughout the national territory. (…)”* Likewise, CHAPTER II, regarding the “PUBLIC TRANSPORT COUNCIL”, in ordinal 5, creates the Public Transport Council—hereinafter the Council—as a body with maximum deconcentration (desconcentración máxima), with instrumental legal personality. For its part, the following – 6 –, concerning its legal nature, qualifies it as the body:
*“(…) specialized in public transport matters and attached to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.* *It shall be responsible for defining policies and executing national plans and programs related to matters within its competence; for this purpose, it must coordinate its activities with public institutions and bodies having attributions concurrent or connected to those of the Council.* *The Council shall establish, in the main population centers of the country, the offices it deems necessary to facilitate administrative procedures concerning the application of this law. To fulfill its purposes, the Council may enter into all kinds of acts, contracts, and agreements with both public and private entities and persons”.* For its part, it is numeral 7 that is responsible for defining the powers of that Council, and it is important to highlight subsection i), which grants it the competence to **“(…)** ** i) Establish the terminal and intermediate stops for all remunerated public transport services of persons (…)”** (the emphasis is not from the original).
Under these conditions, the Municipal Council has no legal authority to change a taxi stand that had been established by the Public Transport Council, and therefore, the challenged agreement is illegal and deserves to be annulled.- **V.-** The fact that, as indicated in ordinary session number 149 of March 9, 2005, a motion for reconsideration (revocatoria) was filed by the Municipality of Tilarán against the resolution of the Executive Secretariat of the Public Transport Council, number CTP-SE-03-002050, an extreme that in any case was not proven by the City Council, does not give it the power to eliminate the taxi stand located at the Dirección7209 .- **VI.-** Apart from the foregoing, the Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional) has already issued its opinion on the matter. In its judgment number 005445-99 of 14 hours 30 minutes of July 14, 1999, it established the following:
*(…)* ** XVI.- OF ARTICLE 2 OF THE TRANSIT LAW ON TERRESTRIAL PUBLIC ROADS. ** *This norm is challenged insofar as it entrusts the administration and execution of the Law (of Transit on Terrestrial Public Roads) to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, without making the general exception of local competences, which excludes the municipalities from their powers to establish parking zones, authorize the transit of vehicles with loudspeakers (in relation to article 102 ibid.), designate crossing zones for pedestrians, and signal bus stops, authorize the closure of streets for various events (in relation to article 125 of the same Law). Indeed, as the petitioner points out, local governments are responsible for* **urban planning (ordenación urbanística)** *or* **urban planning (planificación urbana)**, *for which purpose, they are empowered to adopt the regulatory plan (plan regulador) and the related urban development regulations in the areas where it must govern, a competence that has been repeatedly recognized by this Tribunal (among others, see judgments numbers 2153-93; 5305-93. Telf777, Telf778 and Telf779), and that must be understood in the terms foreseen in national legislation as* *"[...] the continuous and integral process of analysis and formulation of plans and regulations on urban development, aimed at ensuring the safety, health, comfort, and well-being of the community";* *according to the definition given by the Urban Planning Law itself, number 4240, in its Article 1°, a matter in which the municipalities have exclusive competence in accordance with the provisions of constitutional Article 169 and article 15 of that law, insofar as it states:* *"In accordance with the precept of Article 169 of the Political Constitution, the competence and authority of municipal governments is recognized to* **plan and control urban development, within the limits of their jurisdictional territory";** *and which the former article 4 subsection 4) of the Municipal Code, law number 4574, repealed, developed as follows* *"It corresponds to the municipalities the administration of local services and interests, in order to promote the integral development of the cantons in harmony with national development.* *Within the duties of the Municipalities, they shall:* *[...]* *4) Establish a comprehensive urban planning policy in accordance with the respective law and the provisions of this Code, which pursues the efficient and harmonious development of urban centers and guarantees at least: efficient electrification and communication services; good potable water supply and wastewater evacuation systems, through adequate aqueduct and sewer systems; modern lighting and urban beautification systems for cities; efficient construction, repair, and cleaning services for streets and other public roads; adequate programs for parks, gardens, and green zones for public use; social interest housing programs and, in general, concrete and practical plans to make the life of the urban population comfortable."* *Also, it must be remembered that there are streets that are municipal, in accordance with the classification of the national road network made by the General Law of Public Roads, number 5060, in its Article 1°, as the cantonal road network is made up of* *"a) Local roads (Caminos vecinales): public roads that provide direct access to farms and other rural economic activities; they connect hamlets and towns with the National Road (Red Vial Nacional), and are characterized by low traffic volumes and high proportions of short-distance local trips.* *b) Local streets (Calles locales): Public roads included within the quadrant of an urban area, not classified as urban crossings of the National Road Network.* *c) Unclassified roads: Public roads not classified within the categories described above, such as bridle paths, trails, footpaths, which provide access to very few users, who will bear the maintenance and improvement costs";* *whose administration corresponds exclusively to the municipalities. In this same sense, one should not forget that developers must provide the space required for public roads, which must be transferred to the municipal corporations upon completion of the development's construction (article 40 of the Urban Planning Law).* *For its part, urban planning (ordenación urbanística) is closely related to the regulation of terrestrial public roads that are intended for general public service and use, a matter that by legal definition has been assigned to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport; according to the definition of the very Law of its creation, when it states in what is relevant:* *"The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has as its purpose:* *a) [...] Regulate and control the rights-of-way of existing or planned highways. Regular, controlar y vigilar el tránsito y el transporte por los caminos públicos." Por lo tanto, la regulación de la circulación de los vehículos, personas y semovientes en las vías, de las gasolineras y estacionamientos públicos, la definición de la seguridad vial, su financiamiento, pago de impuestos, multas y derechos de tránsito y lo referente a la propiedad de los vehículos automotores (artículo 1° de la Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres) son tareas específicas que derivan de la ordenación general de las vías públicas, que por su naturaleza son temas nacionales, no locales (municipales), y que en consecuencia le corresponden al Poder Ejecutivo llevar a cabo su regulación; de manera que es el Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes quien dicta y ejecuta la ordenación referente a las concesiones de transporte público remunerado de personas, define la ubicación de las paradas de buses, y la señalización de las vías públicas, por ejemplo. Sin embargo, de conformidad con lo señalado en el Considerado X de esta sentencia, ésta es una labor que el MOPT debe desarrollar en coordinación con las funciones locales, en los términos señalados en la norma impugnada y en lo dispuesto en el analizado artículo 5 del derogado Código Municipal y del artículo 7 del nuevo cuerpo legal, de manera que al dictarse la ordenación de las vías públicas debe hacerse respetándose el ordenamiento jurídico local, lo que equivale en esta materia, que debe hacerse conforme a los planes reguladores dictados por las municipalidades para su jurisdicción territorial en donde existan, o en coordinación con ellas para resolver lo que mejor convenga, en las jurisdicciones en las que no existan planes reguladores. En atención a las anteriores consideraciones, el artículo 2 de la Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres no es violatorio de la autonomía municipal, por lo que debe declararse sin lugar la acción, también en este extremo (…)”.- **VII.-** By provision of articles 181 and 351 of the General Law of Public Administration, the administrative route must be deemed exhausted.- *THEREFORE:* The challenged agreement is annulled. The administrative route is deemed exhausted.- **Sonia Ferrero Aymerich** **Nombre5180** ** Hubert Fernández Argüello** **Expediente: 05-000118-161-CA** **Municipal** **Nombre65455** **contra** **Municipalidad de Tilarán** **dcespedes**
-2006 121-2006 TRIBUNAL CONTENCIOSO ADMINISTRATIVO. SECCIÓN SEGUNDA. II Circuito Judicial. San José, a las once horas cuarenta minutos del diecisiete de marzo de dos mil seis.
Apelación Municipal interpuesta por Nombre65455 , cuyas calidades no constan en autos, cédula de identidad número CED48405 – – , contra el Artículo 34 del Concejo Municipal de Tilarán, tomado en la Sesión Ordinaria número 145 celebrada el 9 de febrero de 2005.- Redacta la Juez Ferrero Aymerich, y
CONSIDERANDO:
I.- Se tiene por demostrado lo siguiente: 1.- que la Municipalidad de Tilarán, en la sesión ordinaria número 145, artículo 34 de 9 de febrero de 2005, notificada mediante oficio SCM-104-20058 de 15 del mes y año citados, el Concejo, por unanimidad y en firme, eliminó la parada de taxis ubicada al costado Sur del Mercado Municipal y a la vez, destinó un área de carga y descarga para clientes de esa ágora (folios 1 a 12); 2.- que por nota presentada el dieciocho siguiente, el señor Nombre65455 interpuso recursos de revocatoria y apelación. En la sesión ordinaria número 146 de 23 de febrero, se trasladó al asesor legal (folios 11 a 13); 3.- que en la sesión ordinaria número 149, artículo 35, de nueve de marzo, denegó el primero y admitió la alzada para ante este Tribunal (folios14 a 28).- II.- Se tiene por no acreditado, la resolución de la Secretaría Ejecutiva del Transporte Público, número CTP-SE 03-002050 de 27 de noviembre de 2003, ni el recurso de revocatoria interpuesto por el Ayuntamiento en contra de ella. A pesar de que se ordenó prueba para mejor resolver en ese sentido, la Corporación indica que no tienen tales documentos.- III.- En esta instancia no se expresaron agravios. En el escrito en que combatió la decisión de la Municipalidad, el impugnante alega, que tiene un derecho subjetivo de buena fe, de conformidad con la resolución de la Secretaría Ejecutiva del Consejo de Transporte Público que fijó la parada de taxis al costado Sur del Mercado Municipal. Según el numeral 155 de la Ley General de la Administración Pública, dice, no pueden dejarse sin efecto actos, sin el procedimiento legalmente establecido, y que lo contrario, le ocasiona daños y perjuicios “(…) que deberán ser liquidados por la Administración Municipal (…)”.- IV.- Luego del estudio de los atestados, el Tribunal arriba al convencimiento de que asiste razón al apelante. La Ley Reguladora del Servicio Público de Transporte Remunerado de Personas en Vehículos en la Modalidad de Taxi, establece en el inciso a) del artículo 3, que:
“(…) especializado en materia de transporte público y adscrito al Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes.
Se encargará de definir las políticas y ejecutar los planes y programas nacionales relacionados con las materias de su competencia; para tal efecto, deberá coordinar sus actividades con las instituciones y los organismos públicos con atribuciones concurrentes o conexas a las del Consejo.
El Consejo establecerá, en los principales centros de población del país, las oficinas que considere necesarias para facilitar los trámites administrativos referentes a la aplicación de esta ley. Para cumplir sus fines, el Consejo podrá celebrar toda clase de actos, contratos y convenios con entidades y personas tanto públicas como privadas”.
Por su parte, es el numeral 7, el que se encarga de definir las atribuciones de ese Consejo, y de él importa destacar, el inciso i), que le otorga la competencia de “(…) i) Fijar las paradas terminales e intermedias de todos los servicios de transporte público remunerado de personas (…)” (el destacado no es del original).
En estas condiciones, no cuenta el Concejo Municipal, con ninguna facultad legal, para variar una parada de taxis que había sido establecida por el Consejo de Transporte Público. y por ello, el acuerdo impugnado es ilegal y merece ser anulado.- V.- El hecho, de que tal y como se indica en la sesión ordinaria número 149 de 9 de marzo de 2005, se haya presentado revocatoria por parte de la Municipalidad de Tilarán, en contra de la resolución de la Secretaría Ejecutiva del Consejo de Transporte Público, número CTP-SE-03-002050, extremo que en todo caso no fue acreditado por el Ayuntamiento, no le da la potestad de eliminar la parada de taxis ubicada en el Dirección7209 .- VI.- Aparte de lo expuesto, ya la Sala Constitucional, emitió criterio al respecto. En su sentencia número 005445-99 de 14 horas 30 minutos del 14 de julio de 1999, estableció lo siguiente:
“(…) XVI.- DEL ARTÍCULO 2 DE LA LEY DE TRÁNSITO POR VÍAS PÚBLICAS TERRESTRES. Esta norma es cuestionada en cuanto encarga la administración y ejecución de la Ley (de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres) al Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, sin hacer la salvedad general de las competencias locales, lo que excluye a las municipalidades de sus potestades de fijar zonas de estacionamiento, autorizar el tránsito de vehículos con altoparlantes (en relación con el artículo 102 ibídem), marcar zonas de paso para peatones, y señalar paradas de buses, autorizar el cierre de calles para eventos varios (en relación con artículo 125 de la misma Ley). Efectivamente, como lo señala la accionante, corresponde a los gobiernos locales la ordenación urbanística o planificación urbana, para lo cual, se les faculta para adoptar el plan regulador y los reglamentos de desarrollo urbano conexos en las áreas donde debe regir, competencia que ha sido reconocida en forma reiterada por este Tribunal (entre otras, ver sentencias números 2153-93; 5305-93. Telf777, Telf778 y Telf779), y que debe ser entendida en los términos previstos en la legislación nacional como "[...] el proceso continuo e integral de análisis y formulación de planes y reglamentos sobre desarrollo urbano, tendiente a procurar la seguridad, salud, comodidad y bienestar de la comunidad"; según la definición que da la propia Ley de Planificación Urbana, número 4240, en su artículo 1°, materia en la que tienen competencia exclusiva los municipios de acuerdo con lo dispuesto en el artículo 169 constitucional y 15 de esa ley, en cuanto dispone:
"Conforme al precepto del artículo 169 de la Constitución Política, reconócese la competencia y autoridad de los gobiernos municipales para planificar y controlar el desarrollo urbano, dentro de los límites de su territorio jurisdiccional"; y que el propio artículo 4 inciso 4) del Código Municipal, ley número 4574, derogado desarrolló de la siguiente manera "Corresponde a las municipalidades la administración de los servicios e intereses locales, con el fin de promover el desarrollo integral de los cantones en armonía con el desarrollo nacional.
Dentro de los cometidos de las Municipalidades deberán:
[...]
Por su parte, la ordenación urbanística está muy relacionada con la ordenación de las vías públicas terrestres que están destinadas al servicio y uso público en general, materia que por definición legal ha sido asignada al Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes; según definición de la propia Ley de su creación, cuando indica en lo que interesa:
"El Ministerio de Obras Pública y Transportes tiene por objeto:
POR TANTO:
Se anula el acuerdo impugnado. Se da por agotada la vía administrativa.- Sonia Ferrero Aymerich Nombre5180 Hubert Fernández Argüello Municipal Nombre65455 contra Municipalidad de Tilarán dcespedes
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