Zurich - It's a fight that never ends: Zurich residents are using all legal means to defend themselves against a brothel that is to be built right next to their apartments. Now the appeal goes to the next instance - and the fronts are more hardened than ever!
“The value of our houses will fall!” The neighbors fear for their peace and quiet, their reputation – and their money. «A brothel right next door? This will drive our property value down!” complain affected residents. They are particularly concerned about increased traffic, noise at night and nuisance from punters.
But the authorities? So far they see no reason to refuse the permit. The property is located in a zone with 0 percent residential content - and therefore complies with city regulations. That families with children live right next door? Nobody seems to care.
Brothel operator calm: “I have time and money” The future operator of the planned establishment appears unimpressed by the protests. “You can also go to the federal court,” he says coolly. “I have time and money.”
In fact: the man already runs another brothel in Zurich – and knows the business. The new restaurant is intended to be an “upscale wellness resort” with a whirlpool, sauna and 14 different rooms on 750 square meters. A luxury brothel in the middle of a residential area.
Resident: “Discretion? Nobody believes that!” The authorities argue that the “discreet clientele” is unlikely to travel by car - so the volume of traffic is not a problem. The neighbors laugh bitterly: “Discretion? The suitors will still walk through our neighborhood!”
Particularly explosive: The building appeals court has already rejected the majority of residents' complaints - there were only slight adjustments to the noise regulations. From 10 p.m. onwards, the soundproof windows are no longer allowed to be opened and the music must be turned down. Little consolation for the desperate neighbors.
“We’ll fight until the end!” But give up? No trace! Four neighboring property owners are now taking the proceedings to the administrative court of the canton of Zurich. “We won’t put up with this,” says her lawyer. “The building appeal court did not sufficiently examine the traffic volume.”
The neighbors also question the appropriateness of the zoning regulations: How can a property with 0 percent residential content be located right next to residential buildings with a high residential proportion - and still have a brothel allowed? “That’s absurd!”
How many more such conflicts are there? The case shows as an example: brothel permits are explosive. While the city of Zurich is trying to regulate the red light district and keep it out of residential areas, borderline cases continue to arise - to the annoyance of residents.
Conclusion: The legal dispute continues, nerves are on edge. Who wins in the end? The courts decide that. Until then, no one gives in in the Zurich house war.
