Munich's inner courtyard under threat: residents take a stand to protect treasured trees
In the heart of Munich's Sendling district, a contentious issue has arisen surrounding a proposed building project at Lindenschmitstraße 25. The project, which involves the construction of three townhouses, has sparked a wave of protest from local residents due to the proposed felling of five protected trees.
The recent BA meeting saw the Sendling district administration unanimously demanding that the building project be abandoned. This decision comes in response to an online petition launched by concerned residents, which as of Monday, 4 August, has gathered 4,500 signatures.
The tree protection officer, Florentine Schiemenz, a member of the ÖDP, has played a pivotal role in this matter. She, along with the district administration, has initiated a renewed professional and legal review of the project. The lower heritage protection authority will also be involved in this process.
The concern over the protected trees stems from their potential ecological, historical, or cultural significance. Their removal for construction could threaten local biodiversity, green space, and the community's quality of life. The felling of these trees could provoke public opposition due to environmental concerns and the loss of urban greenery.
Spokesman Ingo Trömer has stated that some of the trees are in a state that is partially assessed as strongly endangered based on a report by a tree expert. The city's Planning Department has confirmed that the trees approved for felling could not be preserved due to the building situation or their vitality status.
The renewed review will focus on the impact on the city's declared climate goals and the adopted sponge city principle. Last September, the Local Building Commission (LBK) granted a building permit for the construction of the townhouses, but the committee had previously rejected the plans due to concerns about affordable housing, tenant protection, and greenery in the inner courtyard.
Resident Thomas Hinz has called for the administration to reconsider its decision and show courage to act. The residents of Sendling are also concerned about the loss of the green inner courtyard, a valuable green space in the urban environment.
The situation in Sendling has made headlines in the summer due to allegations of eviction. Two felling teams were previously forced to withdraw due to neighborhood protests. As the review process continues, the future of these protected trees and the proposed building project hangs in the balance.
- The residents' online petition, comprising over 4,500 signatures, calls for the abandonment of the real-estate project at Lindenschmitstraße 25 in Munich's Sendling district, as they are invested in the protection and preservation of the area's green spaces and historical trees.
- Through the renewed professional and legal review of the project, there is a focus on the potential financial implications of the construction, including the impact on the city's declared climate goals, the sponge city principle, and the potential loss of valuable real-estate greenery.
