Kletttenberg in need: front gardens disappear, citizens demand protection!

Kletttenberg in need: front gardens disappear, citizens demand protection!

Klettenberg, Köln, Deutschland - Cologne-Kletttenberg, a truly green and charming quarter of the cathedral city, faces a challenging problem. The many gardens and green areas are not only a feast for the eyes, but also offer a welcome cooling on hot summer days. However, the residents have been increasingly upset that neighbors seal their front gardens to make room for cars or private bicycle stands. This not only harms the casual flair of the quarter, but could also have negative effects on the microclimate in the long term, such as the Rundschau Online reported. Against this background, a committed resident submitted a citizen in a meeting of the district council to stop the sealing of the front gardens in Klettenberg. A statute to protect these green spaces was decided in 1999, but despite this, many front gardens, especially on Hardtstrasse, Petersbergstrasse and Siebengebirgallee, lost their natural face and are paved. The city administration sees itself in a difficult situation and communicates that the existing legislation is not sufficient to take action against the destruction of the front gardens. The statutes are not enforceable in court, and a change would not cause much, according to the city administration, since it is already taken into account in the event of permits. A judgment of the Federal Administrative Court from 2005 also underlines that pre -garden statutes in their current form could be considered unlawful.

missing legal handling

The problem is further complicated by the lack of a development plan for Klettenberg. While this plan, which could effectively protect the front gardens, does not exist, an old escape line plan defines front gardens as private green spaces that must be observed by the responsible authorities. Parking spaces that are created in front gardens do not require a building permit as long as they are less than 100 square meters. Another obstacle for the residents is that they have to apply for an exemption from the provisions of the escape line plan if they want to seal their front yard.

according to law firm Herfurtner, escape line plans are a central component of German building law and of great importance for the development and use of land. You can regulate both traffic management and important security requirements. In practice, about 80 percent of urban construction projects in Germany are influenced by such plans. These plans set construction boundaries and distances to neighboring buildings. In Klettenberg, however, compliance with these framework conditions seems to be a theoretical than a practical matter.

poor feasibility of regulations

The building supervisory office has the option of punishing violations without a building permit or liberation, but the practical implementation is often difficult. A regular examination of all protected front gardens in Cologne is not feasible - incoming measures can only take place in the case of concrete reports of conversions in the front garden area. So the residents have to be active in order to contribute their part to preserve the green oases in their quarter.

Klettenberg shows how important it is that legal requirements and practical action are in line with the green identity of a district. The loss of the Green front gardens can only be prevented only by commitment and possibly also by rethinking urban regulations.