Twelve buildings planned for Lauihof development

A new road in Walchwil, Oberdorfstrasse, is not expected to be completed until autumn of this year. However, it is already known that there are plans for a development to the northeast of it, on land off Surenweg.

This Lauihof development, located between two woodland areas and covering 17,000 square metres, will consist of six multiple-dwelling units, four detached houses and two-terrace-style buildings, the height of which will not exceed 7.40 metres. While all new properties in this picturesque area will benefit from views of the lake, they will not be served by public transport. However, it is thought a bus service from Oberdorfstrasse could link it up from the Stadtbahn halt at Hörndli some time in the future.

So much property in Walchwil, is, of course, built on an incline, and this will be the case with this development, too, some of the properties to be built 40 metres higher up than others. Then another road is planned be built to provide access to the properties, though a 30-kph restriction will apply. In addition to residential properties, provision is being made for commercial property there, too, though none of a disturbing nature.

The building plot is actually part of a huge area of land which belongs to Josef Fischlin, a member of a family originally from Arth in the neighbouring canton of Schwyz which has been farming there since 1884.

According to the Cantonal Office for the Preservation of Monuments and Ancient Buildings, the “Laui” part of the name indicates that the land is susceptible to sliding, or where there has been a landslide in the past. Indeed, the steepest part of the development is in Danger Zone Two, meaning that permission to build there will only be granted if certain precautionary measures have been met.

Plans can be viewed at the municipal offices until Monday 4 June, with any subsequent development planned to take place in stages.

What with this and possible further development nearby, the population of Walchwil could soon increase to just under 4,000.