Lonay validates his future neighborhood XXL

The total transformation of an almost abandoned sector, in the words of municipal councilor Joël Henneberger, has just passed the ramp of the Lonay Municipal Council. Work could begin in 2027 and extend over ten years. At this stage, it was a question of defining a framework that was “deliberately very restrictive to have a project that is as high-quality as possible”, underlined the municipal official.

For a long time in the pipeline, the “En Carouge” land use plan (AP) will make it possible to create a residential and service district in a former activity zone to the south-east of the village, close to public transport including The supply is already set to grow. The development of a public park and a village house, intended to encourage community life, is planned. The area would be revegetated and the Reach renatured. “It is by the quality of the unbuilt that we measure the quality of such a project,” summarized Joël Henneberger.

The tallest buildings would have five floors, with a progression from north to south and varied facades “so as not to have a bar effect”. Ultimately, “En Carouge” could accommodate 765 inhabitants (compared to 1000 initially) and 85 jobs.

Thirty-five million in sight

The change involves the sale of a plot in Orllati for around 7 million francs, which has questioned certain elected officials. The Municipality will purchase another plot in the northeast of the area. In total, the operation would allow him to earn 35 million francs. “This is a shortfall that we are not sure of recovering if the project has to be redefined,” noted municipal councilor Paul Coendet.

Because this region having been defined as strategic in the Lausanne-Morges agglomeration plan, the creation of housing is no longer optional and the majority of the assembly seems to have resolved to it. Several elected officials also raised the possibility of being imposed a less good version by the Canton in the event of refusal by the PA. “We would have to start from scratch and I don’t believe that the planets will be so well aligned again,” said Joël Henneberger.

His reminder of the project on 60 slides preceded a lively, but regular, discussion. The notice ultimately attracted broad support: 32 votes in favor, 8 against and 2 abstentions.

Referendum rebutted

The subject remains no less sensitive. Before the debate, the Council had to decide on the challenge of five members who had opposed the allocation plan but still wished to participate in the deliberations. After a brief deliberation, the assembly refused to exclude them by 24 votes against, 17 for and 2 abstentions.

In the ad hoc commission, a minority report welcomed the work done but recommended rejecting the PA to “denounce the diktat of the Canton”. Another councilor, Philippe Pohier, then proposed a referendum as soon as the notice was approved. “Given its strategic importance and its impact, it is the least the population can express itself.”

But his idea was dismissed: “The spontaneous referendum makes sense when the Council cannot decide,” argued Luc Giezendanner, for example. Like him, several elected officials felt that a vote would risk sparking a very emotional campaign and a strong division within the population. Verdict: 35 votes against the referendum, 6 for and 2 abstentions.

Several elected officials were concerned about the quality of life and the identity of the village. They were told that “En Carouge” would allow coordinated development, as opposed to case-by-case densification in the villa areas of the rest of Lonay. And that there would be no shortage of means to integrate the new inhabitants. A popular referendum obviously remains possible.

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