Miesbach wants to loosen local design statutes for more photovoltaics

Created: 09/18/2022, 06:38

By: Dieter Dorby

Valuable area: In Austria, the regulations are not as strict as in the district.

There are already balcony parapets there that are used to generate energy.

In Miesbach, however, only the vertical use of black panels is intended.

© MM

The times have changed.

So far, optical criteria have been serious, if not insurmountable, hurdles for alternative energy generation through photovoltaic and solar systems.

But this credo is crumbling in view of the insecure energy supply.

The Miesbach building committee has now decided to relax the central regulation in the local design statute.

The approval came with a large majority – a clear signal that a rethink is taking place.

The topic was initiated by Markus Seemüller.

The spokesman for the city council faction of the Free Voters had recently requested that the city council discuss and resolve that the requirements for photovoltaic systems (PV) in the district town should be relaxed.

It was particularly important to Seemüller to allow standing up.

However, since Mayor Gerhard Braunmiller (CSU) saw responsibility with the building committee, the topic was dealt with there on Thursday.

Also read the comment on the topic:

Positive signal for citizens to invest

"We have a new situation worldwide," Seemüller stated in the committee.

"Every kilowatt hour saved is extremely important." Not least because heating costs have exploded.

In order to achieve the most efficient possible generation of energy, it is necessary to improve the angle of incidence.

The panels should not only be laid parallel to the roof, they should also be allowed to be elevated.

For optical reasons, however, only parallel to the direction of the ridge or eaves.

This also has the positive effect that the systems are not covered by snow in winter, as this can slide off.

In general, the mounting of photovoltaic systems requires no procedure and is permissible, but only within the framework of the applicable regulations.

This is where the local design statute comes into play in Miesbach.

In paragraph 11, this stipulates that PV and solar systems are desirable, but only if they are not elevated.

If you still want to stand up, you have to apply for an exemption.

Balconies should also be possible

Seemüller also questioned other sub-points.

Above all, the use of facades and balconies, which the site design statute excludes in principle and only allows "in justified individual cases", is "very sensible", added Seemüller.

In short, he stated: "Paragraph 11 needs to be revised because it no longer reflects the spirit of the times."

Broad acceptance

While Braunmiller spoke out against a complete release ("There are some negative examples"), Paul Fertl (SPD) welcomed the initiative.

There are areas such as the ensemble-protected inner city that are not suitable for this, "but otherwise you can do it with the balconies".

Michael Lechner (FWG) also supported Seemüller's initiative: "Every contribution to energy production should be supported.

We should show the greatest possible tolerance.”

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Lechner didn't understand Braunmiller's desire for the city to have a say: "We should handle it as freely as possible.

Or do we want to discuss about three degrees more or less standing up?” Overall, as much as possible should be deleted, which slows down development.

Florian Ruml (FWG) didn't want to go that far: "We can relax, but not at any price.

Because when you stand up sideways, horrible things come out.”

Unanimous vote for Seemüller application

In the course of the discussion, Seemüller offered to change his motion to “revise paragraph 11 and relax the framework conditions”.

A step that Braunmiller also liked.

The head of the building authority, Lutz Breitwieser, suggested that the Oberland energy transition should also be included.

This was already involved in the creation of the local design statute, but also changed its point of view from that time.

The committee then got down to business.

The committee unanimously approved the application of a property developer to install photovoltaic elements on his balcony on Kolpingstraße.

The 11er draft is to be dealt with in the next meeting on October 27th.

ddy