Federal court: wine merchant must remove lettering on dry stone wall
In 2013, a wine merchant in Sion VS had two dry stone walls sandblasted in such a way that the name of the wine cellar and the area "Clos Cochetta" stood out from the wall in bright letters a good six meters tall. According to the Federal Court, the advertising must go.
The highest court has ruled that the original condition must be restored. It thus confirms the decision of the Valais Cantonal Court. The latter had already stated in its ruling that a building permit should have been applied for to "put up" such advertising in the agricultural zone. The lettering is located in an area that is under special protection due to its design with meter-high dry stone walls. In addition, the lettering is visible from the Rhone Valley. The municipality of Sion is concerned that the wine merchant's action will encourage imitations. The Federal Court considers this to be understandable.
Like the lower court, it comes to the conclusion that also a subsequent building permit for the selected precisely performed maintenance work cannot be granted. Also, a restoration of the original condition is not disproportionate. How the clean stones can be restored to their weathered condition remains open in the Federal Court's ruling. What is clear is that the lettering was still clearly visible a year and a half after its completion. (SDA/hae)
