The city of Altötting is planning a new residential area for 600 people – residents have concerns!

The city of Altötting is planning a new residential area for 600 people – residents have concerns!

A city council meeting took place in Altötting on September 24, 2025, the main topic of which was the plans for a new residential area on Jakob-Waldhauser-Straße. With over 30 listeners in the hall, there was great interest in the construction project. A development area called Wohnen-West is planned, which will be built along Holzhauser Straße, Hochkalterstraße, Mühldorfer Straße and Feldstraße. The city wants to create space for up to 600 people here, including a kindergarten.

The meeting was characterized by two important decisions: on the one hand, development plan No. 97 and the change to the land use plan should be initiated. The associated template consisted of an impressive 50 pages and was supplemented by numerous suggestions and concerns from residents. The majority of citizens expressed concerns about additional traffic and possible noise pollution, whereupon two letters with a total of 117 signatures were received by the city administration.

Focus on traffic and noise reports

In order to address the concerns, traffic and pollution reports were included in the consultation. The relevant reports show that even in the worst case, high traffic volumes are not to be expected on Holzhauser Straße. Noise pollution therefore remains below the legal thresholds for a health risk. The city of Altötting currently sees no need for voluntary noise action planning, which has been met with skepticism by some city councilors.

Hubert Rothmayer from the SPD expressed his concerns about traffic on Holzhauser Straße, especially at the intersections. He suggested introducing a 30 km/h speed limit around the school bus stop. Mayor Stephan Antwerp pointed out that this would only be possible after the kindergarten had been implemented. Speed ​​displays could also be set up as a simple measure.

Acoustic concrete as an innovation

The debate about noise protection could continue to gain momentum as a result of any construction projects in the region. Innovative building materials such as acoustic concrete could play a significant role here. This special concrete has the ability to reduce noise and therefore contribute to the quality of life in urban areas. It works through its targeted structuring and porous surfaces that convert sound waves into heat. These properties could be particularly advantageous in densely built-up residential areas, which experience has shown to be exposed to high levels of noise, for example from traffic and construction site noise, which can already lead to a decline in well-being [Bauneuaktuell.ch reports].

Research also shows that measures such as acoustic concrete can not only be cost-effective, but also increase property value. The combination of sound insulation and architectural possibilities makes this building material particularly attractive for future construction projects. The WHO also makes important recommendations for reducing noise pollution in urban areas, which should also give those responsible in politics an impetus to proactively address these issues [lfu.bayern.de informs].

Overall, the Altötting city council unanimously decided at the meeting to change the land use plan and move forward with the development plan, which paves the way for the realization of the construction project. A hopefully successful step towards new living space without negating the citizens' concerns.