Key Developments in Warendorf – April 2026

Key Decisions for Warendorf in April 2026

What was important this month:

• The zoning plan "Hof Lohmann" has been updated and moves into the next phase of public participation.
• Major investments in the sewer system: Over 940,000 euros will be invested in pipeline rehabilitation in Einen, Müssingen, and the Querstraße.
• The topic of depreciation based on replacement cost values was discussed – a matter with financial implications.
• Fire protection and climate protection aspects were considered in several projects.
• Public participation remains a central element of urban planning – also in the case of zoning plan amendments.

Zoning Plan "Hof Lohmann" – Urban Renewal and Nature in Focus

In April 2026, the District Committee Freckenhorst-Hoetmar made important decisions regarding the development of the "Hof Lohmann" site. With the amendment of the zoning plan and the land use plan, the city set clear guidelines for future use.

The focus was on protection measures for nature and the landscape, planned as an external compensation area to the south of the site. The floor area ratio (FAR) was set at 0.3, with an option to increase up to 0.7. At the same time, residential use was excluded, meaning the site could be used in the future, for example, for commercial or public purposes.

The parking space planning requires the provision of more than 35 parking spaces, with the city deliberately choosing not to include PV canopies or planting. As part of the planning, a Climate Check Level 2 was conducted, and fire department considerations were taken into account.

The amendments now move into renewed public participation, which means that residents and authorities will once again have the opportunity to comment.

Sewer System: Major Investments for Pipeline Rehabilitation

In April, the Operating Committee of the Warendorf Sewer System met to make several investment decisions. Particularly noteworthy are the pipeline rehabilitation projects in Einen and Müssingen as well as in the Querstraße.

For the rehabilitation in Einen and Müssingen, 480,000 euros were approved, with the work planned to be completed by Q2 2027. The project will be awarded through a limited tendering procedure. In the Querstraße, 460,000 euros will be invested, with 350,000 euros allocated for the actual investment. The work includes insulating pipes on private land and the planning of connections to the Dreibrückenstraße.

In addition, a review report on the early warning risk system, introduced in 2006 and reviewed in 2018, was presented. The city relies on preventive planning to detect damage in the sewer system at an early stage.

Depreciation and Financing: A Topic with Consequences

Another important topic in the Operating Committee was depreciation based on replacement cost values. Markus Esch from the auditing firm Heilmaier & Partner presented the report. The financial implications of this depreciation are taken into account in the 2026 budget plan.

The city uses such evaluations to plan long-term investments and to realistically estimate the financing of future projects. This is particularly important in times of tight budgets and increasing investment needs.

Overview and Outlook

April 2026 was marked in Warendorf by clear decisions in the areas of urban development and infrastructure. The changes to the zoning plan "Hof Lohmann" show how the city combines nature and urban space, while investments in the sewer system ensure the durability of the infrastructure.

In May, public participation on the zoning plan amendments will begin. Residents therefore have the opportunity once again to get involved. In addition, further investment decisions in the sewer sector are planned, which will further strengthen climate protection and safety in the city.