Artistic customs and practices. - Debate in front of NRW-OVG over noise near Cologne's People's Theater
For many years now, there's been a heated debate between the operators of the Volksbühne am Kölner Rudolfplatz, previously known as the Millowitsch Volkstheater, and some of their neighbors over noise-related issues. This disagreement has resulted in lawsuits over granted building permits. On Wednesday at 10:30 am, the North Rhine-Westphalian Administrative Court (OVG) will handle the case during an appeal hearing.
The association representing the theater operators is suing, among other complaints, against the residential use of a neighboring building which was initially used as a commercial printing plant. The tenant, on the other hand, is suing against the 2018 building permit given to the City of Cologne for the Volksbühne, which allowed for both theater performances and concerts. After a hearing in Cologne's Administrative Court, the court prohibited the permitted events with amplified music due to noise pollution for the neighbors. In another case, however, the Cologne judges found that noise levels in the apartment of the plaintiff were not exceeding acceptable limits and dismissed the lawsuit.
The Volksbühne operators claim they're fighting to protect existing buildings. In 2015, they expanded their events beyond just theater usage to include concerts, cabaret, and seminars. They only applied for the required building permit after they had taken over the new uses. Despite this, one of the neighbors had already received a building permit for their apartment adjacent to the event hall.
