Construction site or play area?
In the picturesque town of Schoemberg, Germany, a contentious issue has arisen concerning the future of a beloved children's playground and the building plan Gassen.
At a recent council meeting, two proposals were presented for altering the building plan Gassen: one proposal suggested designating two building plots and selling one, while the other proposed opening only one building plot and maintaining the playground on the remaining area. Council member Andreas Sauter, in an effort to reassure residents, emphasized that the playground must be preserved.
The playground, inaugurated in 1991, is the only one west of the federal road and is frequently visited and well-used, as confirmed by a survey by the Zollern-Alb-Kurier among residents. The playground equipment has undergone renovations since the September meeting.
However, concrete inquiries about building plots have been made, with the intention to redevelop the approximately 20 acres where the playground is located. The administration proposed designating two building plots at the location of the playground due to the scarcity of building land.
Council member Andreas Sauter expressed an urgent need for action regarding the building plan Gassen, while Frank Polich proposed redeveloping the area while keeping all options open for the future.
Klaus Rieger questioned whether there was a study suggesting the playground was no longer needed, referring to the reason given in the building plan. Mayor Karl-Josef Sprenger stated that clear positions must be taken to get the project approved, creating legal prerequisites.
The discussion about the proposed changes to the building plan Gassen took place behind closed doors, which is against the clear regulations prescribed by the municipal code. This has raised concerns among residents, such as Richard Ege of Ob Gassen, who fear the playground may disappear forever if approved.
Despite the controversy, the council meeting in Schoemberg on Wednesday evening agreed that the Kinderspielplatz Ob Gassen should remain unchanged. The protocol from September 2024 is to be looked at before making a decision. The administration is yet to announce a definitive decision on the matter.
For detailed and current information on this local matter, consulting official municipal sources or local news outlets from Schoemberg would be necessary.
- The administration's plan to designate two building plots to redevelop the area where the Kinderspielplatz Ob Gassen is located is causing concern among residents, as it may signal the potential removal of the playground, which is the only one west of the federal road and regularly visited.
- In light of the scarcity of building land, council member Andreas Sauter suggested keeping the playground intact through the opening of only one building plot, as a means of both preserving the playground and securing future investments in the region's real-estate development.
