Santini’s phantom farms

On November 2, 2012, CPI published “Santini’s phantom farms,” the third part of its series on San Juan’s Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program under Jorge Santini.

The plan promised to conserve some 3,000 cuerdas (648–684 parcels) in Cupey, Caimito, Quebrada Arenas and Tortugo. CPI documented extractions, houses and condominiums on parcels that were supposed to be protected; the Property Registry lacked the transfer book required by Planning Board Regulation 21. Gloria Oppenheimer (Registry) said she had never seen that book. The Municipality collected ~$20 million since 2003 as a de facto tax on builders, without consummating recorded transfers or paying owners whose rights were “sold.”

The TDR program had been exhausted since 2007 (6,411 basic units used up). Special account #030402719 at Banco Popular appeared inactive; CPI flagged an apparent diversion to the general fund without Planning oversight. Bijan Ashrafi (municipal Planning) said transfers “have not been consummated” and that a funds “bank” was being assembled; CPI found no evidence of the Doral purchase he cited. Territorial Plan review hearings were announced for November 14. Journalistic investigation ≠ criminal conviction.

Source: Centro de Periodismo Investigativo. https://periodismoinvestigativo.com/2012/11/las-fincas-fantasma-de-santini/