Zurich: Initiative wants to prevent new buildings on the lakeshore

An initiative wants the city of Zurich to protect public green space on the lakeshore from shadows. The so-called "sunshine initiative" of a non-partisan committee will be put to the vote on September 26, the newspaper reports. 20 minutes. The proposal calls for the prevention of structural changes that additionally shade the green spaces on the lake. To this end, a restriction on the maximum building height is to be introduced in accordance with the current building stock.

Initiator Peter-Wolfgang von Matt from Wollishofen launched the initiative as a direct reaction to the "Züribahn" project of the Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB). "The cable car stations are to be located on public land at Mythenquai and Zürichhorn. The meadows concerned are used as bathing resorts. That's where you have to rely on direct sunlight."

FDP Cantonal Councilor Sonja Rueff-Frenkel rejects the bill. "The initiative overshoots the mark and is unnecessary." Shadowing, she said, is being used as an excuse to prevent selected construction projects. Approval of the initiative would be devastating and prevent development, Rueff-Frenkel finds. "If building is no longer allowed along the lakeshore, there would be great legal uncertainty for pending projects. Likewise, it would be a blatant encroachment on the property guarantee." The city council and the municipal council also reject the proposal. The current building and zoning regulations already severely restrict the construction possibilities on the lakeshore. (a.o.)