Dear fellow residents
Various issues are of concern to the citizens of our town and the surrounding area. I would like to give you some brief information on this today.
Hospital:
In discussions with Mayor Hoffmann and myself, the operator of the Mittelmosel Clinic has stated that it will definitely cease operations of the Mittelmosel Clinic on June 30, 2025. Until this date, operations will be continuously reduced. The operator has promised to provide us with more details.
The medical care center, MVZ, will remain from 01.07.2025. This is to be expanded and extended. In this context, I would like to draw your attention to the publications of the Dernbacher Group and Alexianer.
Unfortunately, according to the statutory provisions, local politicians have no right to participate in the decision. These are made exclusively by the private provider.
On May 28, District Administrator Beilstein, together with the operator of the MVZ, has invited the mayors of the VG Zell and the town of Zell with their deputies and parliamentary group spokespersons to a personal meeting to discuss the current status of the establishment of the outpatient health center. The aforementioned members of the district council will also take part in this meeting.
With regard to the town council's approval of the requested changes of use under building law for the establishment of short-term care and a hospice in the Mittelmosel-Klinik building, it should be noted that this has no effect or influence whatsoever on the continued existence or closure of the clinic.
According to federal building law, a municipality has the task of checking whether municipal planning law concerns are affected by a building application. If a project fits in with its surroundings, the municipality's discretion is reduced to “zero”. If it unlawfully refuses to approve a planning application, the approval authority can disregard this. A municipality has 2 months to review and decide. After this period, consent is deemed to have been granted.
Consent for the two planning applications was granted unanimously by the town council after examining the legal basis. This also took place within the 2-month period after around 5 weeks.
The applicant for a change of use is not prevented from continuing to plan the project during the phase of obtaining municipal consent.
The expert opinion commissioned by the town council from the Quaas law firm has not yet been received at the time of writing this report, despite repeated enquiries. However, it cannot have any direct impact on the continued existence or closure of the clinic, as it will only make a statement as to whether the rights of third parties could be infringed. This is a matter for the future and will require a detailed examination upon receipt.
Parking markings
In the last few days, we have started marking parking spaces and parking boxes in the center of Zell.
The area of the “old town” from the port to the church will be managed with “resident parking” to improve the quality of life for those living there with a primary residence. Households can apply for a green resident parking permit for their vehicle and use it to park in the “old town area”, which is signposted as a “traffic-calmed area”.
This raises the question of parking in front of your own garage.
As long as the road conditions allow it, i.e. the passage of 3 m width is maintained, a user may park in front of their own garage. To ensure that it can be determined during monitoring whether the user is the authorized person, the authorized person can apply for a resident parking permit (from the municipal administration) and affix a sign to the garage: “Only resident parking with parking permit no. ...”.
However, this is only one problem that arises with the introduction of parking management. We are aware that there will be other borderline cases.
I would ask you to submit these to us - preferably in writing or by email. We will endeavor to work out an acceptable solution for all road users - stationary or moving traffic - on a case-by-case basis.
Please bear in mind that the remaining lanes and junctions must remain wide enough to allow emergency vehicles, refuse collection vehicles, the fire department, etc. to use the roads and junctions. It is not uncommon for our fire department to have to pick up or rescue sick or disabled people from their homes with the large ladder vehicle and hand them over to an ambulance on site.
It is only in the residents' own interest that the helpers can reach the scene with their wide special vehicles. Their own health and possible help in an emergency should justify making compromises when it comes to parking in the narrow town center.
We are currently assuming that the parking spaces between the ARAL petrol station and Merler Strasse will be managed from July 1.
In this context, I would like to point out once again that the spaces below the pedestrian bridge up to the playground in Corray will continue to be free of charge.
The former municipal administration building is currently being demolished. The resulting free area will be prepared as an alternative parking area at the expense of the town of Zell and will be available free of charge as an additional parking area during the reconstruction work in the Moselle forecourt.
Kaimt burial ground
The north-western part of the cemetery next to Kaimt church was closed after the resting periods expired. At present, the installed foundations at the graves still have to be removed. A construction company has been commissioned to do this.
Once this work has been completed, the area will be prepared as an enclosed green space. Today, almost exclusively urn burials are chosen. Reburial in this field is therefore not planned. Burials in the context of earth burials take place in the remaining areas to the right and left of the church.
Theft of flowers
Unfortunately, we have again noticed that flowers are being torn out of the flower beds in the municipal grounds and stolen. This not only requires financial and personal effort to restore, it also means that it may ultimately be necessary to consider removing the flower beds.
If anyone can provide information about the thieves, please contact either the town of Zell or the Zell police station directly. Information will of course be treated confidentially.
Let's all enjoy the flowers in the gardens and enjoy the summer. Wishing you this
Your Town Mayor
Hans-Peter Döpgen