Kutzenberg old buildings heat up the tempers
The most recent meeting of the ebensfeld municipal council was quite emotional. The question of whether the committee should develop a so-called "municipal concept for the protection of historical monuments" was a source of much controversy concerning the historical building structures in kutzenberg should be brought on the way or not.
Like a "municipal concept for the preservation of historical monuments (KDK) and what the framework conditions were in the case of an application on kutzenberg, was explained by expert guest thomas gunzelmann from the bavarian state office for the preservation of historical monuments, based in schloss seehof, which is responsible for implementation. No less than 25 buildings located in kutzenberg, most of which were erected between 1906 and 1914, are listed in the bavarian monument register, as gunzelmann showed with the aid of a diagram.
Church tower visible from afar
The three-story building 19, built in 1906 and used as a head office and administration building, and building 20, with its church tower visible from afar and the much-used festival hall, built in 1912, are of outstanding character. Against the background of the district of upper franconia’s plans to redevelop kutzenberg, a concept for the protection of historical monuments would make sense in order to preserve, design and develop the historical building structures there together with all those involved, gunzelmann first described the initial situation.
"The district has signaled that it wants to part with a large part of the historic substance in the medium term because it no longer meets modern requirements – with this sentence, the speaker did not betray any secret, but unconsciously touched on a difficult subject after the events of the recent past, which should still cause excited rumors.
A KDK comprises a total of three phases, module 1 includes the recording, analysis and documentation of the monument values, module 2 the planning level (i.E. The elaboration of the need for action), module 3 finally, on the basis of the findings, preliminary investigations, feasibility studies and the preparation of utilization concepts. 80 percent of the costs of creating the KDK are subsidized by the state office for the preservation of historical monuments.
As was further learned, it could be agreed upon that with approval by the municipal council of the remaining 20 percent share of the market ebensfeld had to bear a quarter (five percent of the construction costs), the district of upper franconia took over the rest (15 percent). According to gunzelmann, the cost of modules 1 and 2 is expected to be around 50,000 euros, so the market’s share would be 2,500 euros.
Where is the journey going?
Afterwards, a lively back and forth developed. Second mayor hauke petersen (CSU) expressed the opinion that the district as owner should be taken much more strongly into its obligation. Heinrich kunzelmann (freie wahler) felt "unable to vote for the preservation concept at the present time" and he explained his position with clear words: "i think it is essential for the implementation that everybody comes to the table and i expect someone from the district to come and present us what they are planning to do in kutzenberg". We need to know where we are going in kutzenberg, that would be the first step for me, before we start a preservation concept." Kunzelmann’s party colleague axel hummer sounded the same note: "we don’t have to decide this today". The district’s interest can be seen in the promised 15 percent share of the construction costs, replied speaker gunzelmann and added in a placatory manner: "a decision on modules 1 and 2 – and that’s what we’re talking about today – will not yet entail any obligations".
The demand, voiced by some council members, that the president of the district council, henry schramm, should also "sit at the table" during decision-making processes such as these, sees gunzelmann as feasible: "i think he had no objection to that. As mayor of kulmbach, he is himself a local politician and has already spoken out in favor of a monument protection concept for kutzenberg."
While some councillors are still skeptical about the whole thing on the basis of existing information, others were positive: "not only should we, we must even tackle the monument protection concept, this will stimulate the important thought process that has not yet taken place", said peter schmauser (CSU). A KDK strong the position of the market community with regard to the preservation and use of the historic building substance in kutzenberg, he added. Burgermeister bernhard storath, also expressed his confidence. "We have as a municipality but also a responsibility to the district kutzenberg and should show strong here." Otherwise he had "no desire for a trial of strength" with the district. After numerous pro- and contratheses had been exchanged, the final acclamation took place, the tension was tangible. With a vote of 12 to five, modules 1 and 2 were finally approved – with the addition that the president of the district council should be involved.