In Grafing, accommodation for refugees could be built relatively quickly and easily. Years ago, the city had drawn up a development plan for an area near Schammach for this very purpose, among other things. An application from the city councilor Lena Huppertz (left) for the next steps in the construction of such a quarter is now available to the city hall. Mayor Christian Bauer (CSU), however, sees no rush.
When the Grafinger city council drew up the development plan for a so-called special area near Schammach in 2017, the primary purpose was clearly defined: the area with corridor number 573/0 was dedicated to the new municipal building yard. However, the city and city council showed foresight – and included the recycling center, which is to move away from Jahnstraße in the foreseeable future, right away in the plan. And that’s not all: The special area “Bauhof” borders in the south-east on the “special area transitional residence”. The development plan allows the construction of accommodation and apartments for refugees, asylum seekers, recognized asylum seekers and the homeless.
City Councilor Lena Huppertz has requested that the construction project be tackled quickly
With the war against Ukraine, the passage has suddenly become topical. City Councilor Huppertz wants the city to immediately apply for planning permission for such accommodation. At the same time, she could start planning an accommodation within the dimensions of the building permit.
“The fact that so many private individuals have already contacted Grafing and offered their housing for the Ukrainian refugees is very welcome and shows great solidarity,” writes the 29-year-old Huppertz. “But the city should also see it as its duty to dissolve this emergency solution, which must not become permanent, as quickly as possible for everyone involved.” Therefore, she should take the next step with a decision for the building permit at Schammach – “and create living space for particularly vulnerable people”.
The city councilor has no doubts: The number of Ukrainians fleeing to Germany is increasing rapidly. In fact, Huppertz believes that it is likely to be higher than the current statistics show. “Usually, the Königstein key applies to distribution within Germany. According to this, Bavaria would have to accommodate and care for around 15 percent of the refugees.” It is hardly conceivable that this could be achieved with the existing infrastructure alone.
City Hall does not seem to give the matter any particular priority
It is not yet clear whether and when Huppertz’s proposal for a building permit, which the city would practically issue itself, will be implemented. Also because the Grafinger town hall does not seem to give the matter any special priority. When SZ asked whether Huppertz’ application would be dealt with in the next city council meeting in early April, Mayor Christian Bauer simply replied: “We will deal with the application in the order in which the applications are submitted as soon as possible.”
The option would certainly have existed to immediately put the matter on the agenda at the most recent meeting on March 8th. Because Huppertz’ application is dated February 27th. The loading period in Grafing is six days. In addition, according to the rules of procedure: “The agenda can be supplemented up to the end of the third day before the meeting at the latest.”
The second part of the application also remained untreated in the city council. It reads: “Furthermore, the administration may also check what timely, active, financial and material emergency aid the city of Grafing near Munich can provide for Ukrainian refugees.” Bauer points out that the Free State is responsible “for financing and accommodating the refugees.”