Hochdorf stops local planning: Citizens' votes now count twice!

Hochdorf stops local planning: Citizens' votes now count twice!

The partial revision of the local planning in Hochdorf is suspended for the time being. This decision by the local council was announced in an official announcement on Wednesday morning. The main reason for the suspension are open questions from the population as well as demands from local parties, the trade association and an interest group who have expressed concerns about the procedure and the short public participation. Mayor Kurt Zemp emphasizes that the signals from the community are taken seriously and that a policy that is supported by the population should be pursued.

As part of this communication, all parties were invited to a joint discussion. The local council is also planning an exchange with the interest group “Our Hochdorf, our Future” and the trade association “Gwärb Hochdorf”. The aim of these discussions is to promote more active and transparent communication in order to avoid rumors.

Reactions and concerns of the population

The concerns of citizens are particularly important for local authorities. Incorrect information about the possible number of floors was discovered, raising additional fears about the housing situation. To address these issues, increased communication is being sought. Further steps for the partial revision of the local planning will be determined after the discussions and the training of the new local council member in the construction, transport and environment department.

Gaby Oberson (SP), the incumbent local councilor, has responded to public pressure and announced her resignation in October 2025. She most recently worked as the main contact person for participation in the partial revision of the municipality's building and zoning regulations (BZR), the participation period for which took place from March 26th to April 25th, 2025. Hochdorf was one of the first Lucerne communities with approved local planning according to the new planning and building law (PBG), which underlines the relevance of this procedure.

Outlook and next steps

The partial revision aims to improve and specify the regulations based on experience from practical application. After the participation phase, all submitted contributions will be reviewed and the local council will decide on how to proceed. Documents for participation can be viewed and downloaded online.

The municipality of Hochdorf now faces the challenge of both taking citizens' concerns seriously and effectively managing the current planning process. The development of a transparent and participatory approach will be crucial for the future of local planning. The Luzerner Zeitung reports that… the municipality is determined to review the communication strategy and improve citizen participation.