Municipality lays the groundwork for village economy in Schaftlach - Opportunity for a senior citizens' housing project

Created: 05/18/2022, 07:00

By: Christina Jachert-Maier

At the citizens' meeting, the tables in the Waakirchner gymnasium were only loosely occupied.

Norbert Kerkel (at the lectern) had news ready in terms of living space.

© Thomas Plettenberg

Apartments for seniors and young families, a village inn for Schaftlach, a concept for Waakirchen's center: Norbert Kerkel had a lot to report at the Waakirchner town hall meeting.

Waakirchen –

It was Norbert Kerkel's first town hall meeting since he took office two years ago.

His elderly mother Käthe sat in the front row when the son greeted the audience in the gym.

Their number was a little sparser than expected.

After a two-year Corona break, a rush would have been quite conceivable.

But the tables were only loosely occupied.

There were three written applications from citizens, all on major issues: locals program, planning village center, loud trains.

Detailed statement of accounts after a two-year corona break

Until it was talked about, staying power was required.

Kerkel's annual report went back to 2020 and thoroughly worked through municipal statistics and the budget.

"That was pretty dry now," Kerkel admitted before giving the audience a break.

Then, late at night, something exciting came up on the table, especially on the subject of living space.

The written application for the locals program showed just how much the desire to own a home preoccupies the citizens.

The question was when, where and under what conditions Waakirchen would launch such a program again.

"The problem is that the prices are galloping away from us," Kerkel made clear.

Means: A classic local program with single-family or semi-detached houses would be too expensive for the actual target group.

That is why the municipal council is currently looking for alternatives such as multi-storey housing and has scheduled a non-public special session for this, says Kerkel.

In the near future, the committee will also discuss this publicly.

Opportunity for senior housing project on Westerpoltweg

According to Kerkel, a new opportunity has arisen to realize the long-cherished wish for a housing project for senior citizens.

"It's a tough one," Kerkel recalled of sightseeing trips and shattered plans.

Thanks to the willingness of two property owners, the municipality now has the chance to make the dream of living for the elderly come true on Westerpoltweg in Schaftlach.

The area is ideal thanks to the good infrastructure, and an initial discussion with the government of Upper Bavaria about funding has already taken place.

“We will continue to work on that this year,” announced Kerkel.

The latter also applies to the property on Michael-Schreiber-Weg in Schaftlach.

The only place in town, a pizzeria, used to be there.

The community bought the entire property to ensure there would be an inn again.

The area at the station, consisting of a transverse and a longitudinal building, also includes apartments.

Kerkel reported that the municipal council will decide in the next few weeks whether both buildings will be demolished or just the longitudinal building.

The goal is clear: "We really want a smart economy."

Information evening as a prelude to founding the local center working group

The date for the next step in planning the Waakirchner town center has been set.

An information event on the subject of the town center is planned for June 22nd in the gymnasium.

The aim is to set up a working group or several groups.

A representative of the school for village and rural development in Thierhaupten will moderate the event.

This corresponds to the request made by ex-municipal councilor Balthasar Brandhofer.

"It's great that something is finally rolling," said Brandhofer, who recalled the previous history: the referendum initiated by Michael Futschik in July 2019. The vote meant the end of municipal planning for a housing project.

Futschik deserves thanks for his commitment, explained Brandhofer.

As reported, Futschik has now retired and his community workshop has dissolved.

Criticism of the volume of the BRB trains

The shank laugher Karl Nickisch, who has been fighting against noise pollution from the new BRB trains for a long time, also submitted an application.

It is time for the community to do something, maybe even go to court.

Kerkel recalled many conversations and that the community could not do anything about this matter: "We are completely out of it."

By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Tegernsee newsletter.