Rapport de séance du 14 juillet 2025

Leudelange Municipal Council meeting on 14 July 2025

Shared Space: Final preliminary project approved

Present:

Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri (alderwoman), Jean-Pierre Roemen (alderman)

Patrick Calmus, Denise Conrardy-Copette, Nathalie Entringer, Marcel Jakobs (councillors)

Marc Thill (municipal secretary)

Absent (excused): Lou Linster (mayor), Sandrine Pompidou, Philippe Wilmes (councillors)

Alderwoman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri chairs today’s meeting. Mayor Lou Linster participates in the meeting via video link due to a positive Covid test result. His voting rights are exercised by proxy by the alderwoman.

 

1. Approval of the agenda

Alderwoman Demoling-Baldassarri informs the councillors of three changes to the original agenda: Item 6. (Waiver of the creation of affordable housing by the municipality of Leudelange in the implementation of the PAP-NQ « CENTRE 11 » at the location known as « Bommert ») is deleted because the relevant partial development plan is not yet in procedure. Item 24 is also deleted (personnel matter in closed session – definitive appointment to an A-1 civil servant position) because there are no candidates for the position. Item 16 is supplemented by a sub-item c) (approval of a notarial deed).

The original numbering is retained for clarity.

The agenda is unanimously approved.

 

2. Announcements from the Mayor and Aldermen

Alderwoman Demoling-Baldassarri announces that the « City App » is now operational and can be downloaded by anyone interested. The advantage of the app is that all municipal information, such as waste collection calendars, municipal events and much more, can now be consulted on a smartphone. In addition, the application is continuously synchronised with the municipality’s website so that up-to-date information is always available. The app also includes a function that allows users to report problems and suggest improvements. Push notifications can also be activated if desired.

 

3. Redesign of Leudelange town centre

Final preliminary project, phases 2 and 4, approval

Phases 2 and 4 of the redesign of the town centre (shared space) are estimated to cost 9,960,736.50 euros. This does not include government subsidies, which are estimated at around €800,000, meaning that the final cost is expected to be €9,170,026.50.

Thomas Strub from the Schroeder & Associés office provides the local councillors with detailed information about the redesign: the shared space covers approximately 1.4 hectares and includes Rue Eich, part of Rue de Cessange and Rue du Lavoir. The aim is to create a shared space without any differences in height for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. A special road design and the placement of streetlamps and plantings will help to reduce the speed of traffic, which is already limited to 20 km/h in the shared space. Parts of the shared space will be accessible to vehicles, while others will not.

The Place des Martyrs, as the centre, will be reserved for pedestrians. Rainwater management using drainage devices and siphons is also planned for the square. The rainwater will be directed towards the green spaces and trees, which will be irrigated as a result.

The Chemin des Sports will also be partially redesigned. A ramp will provide direct access from Place des Martyrs to the church. These standards will also be applied to the redesign of the access route from Place des Martyrs to the town hall. The school will have a « kiss & go » zone for parents who drive their children to school and a bike box for storing bicycles. The Place du Lavoir will be redesigned and covered with a light-coloured surface.

As part of the redevelopment of the town centre, the Drosbach will be renaturalised in accordance with ecological principles, with natural stones lining its banks on the Place du Lavoir side. Furthermore, with regard to the planned cycle path, there are plans to widen the « Chemin mixte » between Rue de Cessange and Domaine Kierchepad on the section belonging to the municipality. The entrances to the shared space will be designed in such a way that motorists notice as early as possible that they are entering such an area.

Councillor Patrick Calmus supports the overall project but is sceptical about the planned water feature on the Place des Martyrs, which he believes will not function for long and will be costly to maintain.

Councillor Denise Conrardy-Copette is also enthusiastic about the redesign but doubts that it will help to reduce through traffic in the long term. Alderwoman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri emphasises that the redesign will not completely prevent traffic jams, as unfortunately there is no way to influence people looking for shortcuts. There is no ideal solution to this problem. Councillor Conrardy-Copette assures us that she remains optimistic despite her concerns.

Councillor Nathalie Entringer describes the planned shared space as an extremely positive project and is delighted that trees are also planned for the redesigned Place du Lavoir. Especially for the time being, she says, it is important to have plenty of shady places in summer.

Councillor Marcel Jakobs is in favour of the project but points out that it is a complex project that will certainly involve restrictions for residents. When asked for a statement on this by alderwoman Demoling-Baldassarri, Thomas Strub assures her that care has been taken in the planning to minimise disruption to traffic flow. The work will also be carried out in alternating phases.

Mayor Lou Linster thanks all the consulting firms involved in the project development for their rapid and detailed planning, which was completed within just one year. Responding to Councillor Marcel Jakobs’ concerns, the mayor assures him that the duration of the construction work will be kept to a minimum and that the project will be implemented in two phases. Efforts will be made to make Leudelange as unattractive as possible for through traffic and thus more liveable for residents.

Lou Linster then briefly addressed the increased project costs, which he explained were due to the fact that various studies were not yet available at the start of the project and that additional requirements, such as the cycle path towards Kierchepad and the redesign of Chemin des Sports, were not originally planned.

The final preliminary project for phases 2 and 4 in the context of the redesign of the town centre is approved without exception.

 

4. Selective amendment to the general development plan (PAG)

Amendment to the PAG at the location known as « Place du Lavoir », approval

Mayor Lou Linster explains that, in order to construct the building on Place de Lavoir, the small partial development plan has been expanded to a total of 55 ares through land purchases and exchanges. All plots of land are classified in the « Zone mixte villageoise » category (Mixed village zone) and the coefficients are also adjusted so that the 39 apartments planned there can be built.

The specific amendment is approved by all councillors

 

5. Selective amendment to the general development plan (PAG)

a) Amendment to the PAG at the location known as « Bommert », approval

b) Convention in connection with the amendment to the PAG at the location known as « Bommert »

Councillor Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri explains that this concerns an area on which just over 400 flats are to be built. The aim is to create a high-quality residential neighbourhood. The partial development plan (PAP) has now been submitted, and the relevant procedures will start shortly. Mayor Lou Linster adds that this is a project that was already launched in 2017. The PAP Bommert is currently designated entirely as a HAB-1 zone, but the intention is now to convert part of it into a « zone mixte villageoise » and a HAB-2 zone. Originally, a « zone mixte villageoise » was not planned, but the idea is to allow restaurants there, which is not possible in a HAB-2 zone. For the HAB1 part, which will not be converted, the housing density coefficient will remain at 25, but will be automatically increased by 10 per cent to 27.5 under the Housing Pact 2.0. In the HAB-2 and « zone mixte villageoise » , the coefficient will be raised from 25 to 70. This may seem like a lot, but the residences will maintain the necessary distances and will also fit in well with the existing village landscape in terms of height. The new « Um Wäschbuer » building on Rue du Lavoir will remain the tallest building in the centre. The mayor emphasises that with 10,000 people working in Leudelange, there are only 2,760 residents, which is why sensible densification is important. An important advantage of the Bommert residential project is that it offers living space close to the centre and the school.

Marc Schmit from the municipality’s technical department explains the reasons for the changes that have been made: when the PAG was reformed five years ago, it was clear that there would be modifications. At that time, there was no construction project, so it was decided to initially opt for a HAB-1 as a less densely populated zone and to reserve the right to adjust the PAG (general development plan) later if necessary. This meant that the increase in residential density had been planned from the outset. At the edges of the new district, both the population density and the size of the buildings gradually decrease. Further modifications: initially, the HAB-2 zone was allowed to have 60 per cent multi-family dwellings, but now the figure is 90 per cent. In addition, initially 10 per cent of the built-up residential area in the « zone mixte villageoise » was to be allowed to be used for purposes other than residential, but this figure has been reduced to 5 per cent because the Place du Lavoir is to serve as the main square for these purposes.

Councillor Patrick Calmus supports the project and believes that Leudelange needs housing. He says that denser construction is unavoidable.

Councillor Marcel Jakobs asks whether the changes will result in the loss of additional green space. Marc Schmit denies this. The public infrastructure will be implemented as planned, and there will be no adverse effects in this regard. On the contrary, thanks to the green corridor along the Drosbech, over 35 per cent of the total area of the PAP will be transferred to the municipality instead of the prescribed 25 per cent.

Alderwoman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri then addressed the distribution of the costs arising from the PAG modification. These will be covered by the developer up to an amount of €30,000, which, as mayor Linster assured councillor Marcel Jakobs in response to a question on this matter, will certainly not be exceeded.

All councillors agree to the specific amendment to the general development plan and the associated convention.

 

7. Exchange of Land

Approval of exchange agreement, part of plot no. 82/0, plots no. 311/1632, 311/3001, 314/2768, 314/2769, 696/5, 764/2, 765/4511, 816/5225, 816/6699, 1486/2, 1486/4751, 1876/5939 and part of parcel no. 2217/5380 in exchange for parts of parcels no. 253/2004 and 258/2005 with compensation payment.

Alderwoman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri explains to the councillors that the exchange agreements concern land that the municipality needs for projects such as the cycle path, flood protection measures, and the ‘fast tram’. The compensation payment to be borne by the municipality amounts to €292,950. Councillor Patrick Calmus assesses the transactions positively and thanks the exchange partners for their cooperation. All councillors approve the exchange.

 

8. Exchange of land

Approval of exchange agreement concerning plot no. 149/4277, parts of plots no. 653/4405, 654, 655/1662, 655/1663, 657, 659, 660, 661, 663/1401, plots no. 1271/4691, 1273/4693, 1278/4699, 1858/5746, 1863/5749, 1428/5321 and part of plot no. 1440/4923 for part of plot no. 253/2004 with the difference in value.

Alderwoman Demoling-Baldassarri explains to the councillors that the exchange agreements concern land that the municipality needs for projects such as the cycle path, flood protection measures and the « fast tram ».

Councillor Patrick Calmus assesses the transactions positively and thanks the exchange partners for their cooperation.

Councillor Marcel Jakobs considers the compensation amount for the first plot to be relatively high. Mayor Lou Linster replies that the amount mentioned relates to an area of 65 ares. For one half, the municipality is giving land ownership, and for the other half, it is paying €9,000 per are. Ultimately, no land needs to be given in return for this second half.

All councillors approve the exchange.

 

9. Exchange of land

a) Approval of exchange agreement, section of plot no. 938/5090 for road section of Rue du Cimetière

b) Approval of an addendum to the exchange agreement, part of plot no. 938/5090 for a section of Rue du Cimetière

Alderwoman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassari explains that under this agreement, the municipality is exchanging part of Rue du Cimetière for a plot of land required for its own project. The addendum to the agreement specifies the coefficients applied and the heights of the buildings. Mayor Linster adds that the section being exchanged is not part of the road but is a meadow plot. The plot being received in exchange will be integrated into the PAP Place du Lavoir.

Both the agreement and the associated addendum are approved without any dissenting votes.

 

10. Construction site for the « Um Wäschbuer » building, convention on provision

Approval of convention on provision, plot no. 1097/4909

The convention with the owner of the plot, part of which is required for the construction of the « Um Wäschbuer » building, covers the period from 1 September 2026 to 31 December 2027. The compensation amount is 200 euros/month. The municipality thanks the owners for making the land available.

The convention is accepted by all councillors.

11. Construction site for the « Um Wäschbuer » building, convention on provision

a) Approval of convention on provision, plot no. 938/5090

b) Approval of an addendum to the convention on provision, plot no. 938/5090

An additional plot is being made available, which is required for work, but also for storage and access as part of the shared space project. This convention valid from 1 September 2026 to 31 December 2030. The compensation amount is 100 euros/month. Here, too, the municipality would like to thank the plot owner. In addition to the convention , an adapted plan is to be voted on in which the coefficients and building heights have been adjusted.

The convention and the addendum are approved without exception.

 

12. Convention between the municipalities of Dippach, Reckange/Mess and Leudelange concerning the construction and use of a forestry hall at the location known as « Melacksbësch » in Leudelange for the sorting of timber from Dippach-Reckange-Leudelange

Approval

The convention, which is fixed for a term of ten years, defines the distribution of costs, which was calculated according to the forest ownership of the individual municipalities involved. Dippach and Leudelange each account for 45 per cent of the financial expenditure, while Reckange accounts for 10 per cent. The budget amounts to 965,000 euros. Approval from the Ministry of the Environment is still pending, says alderwoman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri. Once this has been granted, work on the foundations for the hall can begin, probably in October. Mayor Lou Linster is delighted with this project, especially given the fact that Leudelange is currently paying too much for forest management and is partly co-financing the costs of the other two municipalities. This will now be regulated.

Councillor Patrick Calmus also views the construction of the forestry hall positively and welcomes the installation of a photovoltaic system on the hall’s roof, which is being financed by the municipality of Leudelange.

Councillor Nathalie Entringer wants to know whether wood from Leudelange’s forests will be used for the construction of the hall. The mayor says no. Unfortunately, the use of municipal wood is difficult due to the long drying times. However, this will be done for the construction of the « Um Wäschbuer » building. The corresponding trees were already felled last year in order to comply with the necessary drying times.

All councillors agree to the convention.

 

13. Municipal finances, loan of 3 million euros

Decision

According to alderwoman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri, the loan will be taken out to provide financial security for the realisation of four future projects.

In response to councillor Conrardy-Copette’s question as to why a credit line was not being used to save on interest payments, mayor Linster replied that this was a case of necessary funding for the realisation of projects and not a short-term liquidity bottleneck.

The loan was approved unanimously.

 

14. House no. 11 Rue de Cessange, convention on provision

Approval of the convention on provision

The convention is made with the owner of a house who is making the building available to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. The municipality pays them €1,500 per month in rent, with advance payments of €275 each. The municipality is currently in contact with the ONA (Service national de l’accueil), which is expected to cover these costs in the future.

This convention has also been approved by all councillors.

 

15. Maison Relais

a) 2025 Convention, approval

b) 2023 Statement, approval

The operating costs for the Maison Relais being run by the Red Cross are covered 75 per cent by the state and 25 per cent by the municipality. For the 2025 operating year, the municipality’s share is expected to be €415,085. According to the statement for 2023 the additional payment to be made by the municipality should be €84,558.69.

Councillor Denise Conrardy-Copette raises the issue of dissatisfaction recently expressed by some parents regarding the work of the Red Cross. In response, alderwoman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri says that the difficulties mentioned were mainly due to temporary staff shortages at the operating organisation. Discussions have been held with both the parents and the Red Cross on this matter, and regular contact is now being maintained with all parties involved in order to find joint solutions.

The 2025 Convention and the 2023 Statement were approved without any dissenting votes.

 

16. Approval of various notarial deeds

a) Deed of sale for plots nos. 187/8195 and 187/8199

b) Deed of sale for plot no. 912/7558

c) Deed of sale for plots 716/8206, 801/7659, 801/7660, 801/7661 and 2119/5756

These are plots of land that are needed for the construction of the planned cycle path and rapid tram line. Plot 912/7558 is a pavement.

The three deeds are approved by all councillors.

 

17. OSCM Mamer

Approval of the OSCM 2025 convention

The costs for Leudelange’s participation in the social welfare office are borne 50 per cent by the state and 50 per cent by the municipality. For 2026, the municipality’s share is estimated at €648,822.04. The fact that the expenditure is slightly higher than in the previous year is due to increased rental and personnel costs.

The convention is accepted without exception.

 

18. Climate Pact

Supplementary report on the 2024 Climate Pact, citizens’ forum, waste management

Following last autumn’s public hearings, during which citizens were able to express their ideas on the Climate Pact, a supplementary report was drawn up. Councillor Patrick Calmus, President of the Climate Pact Commission, asks the Municipal Council to approve the report so that the proposals can be implemented.

The supplementary report on the Climate Pact 2024 is approved by all councillors.

 

19. Student positions

Creation of positions, increase in the 2025 quota

The municipality wants to increase the student position quota from 10 to 12 people because additional workers are needed for clean-up work in the library of the Cercle culturel et historique.

All councillors agree to the creation of two additional student positions.

 

20. Personnel matter

Creation of a post for an intellectual employee with an A-1 master’s degree/diploma

This is a position for a municipal architect. Mayor Lou Linster explains that there are plans to hire two new employees for these tasks in the medium term because numerous projects are in the pipeline.

 

21. Correspondence, questions to the mayor and aldermen

Councillor Marcel Jakobs says that he has been asked by fellow citizens whether they need to register to participate in the referendum on the introduction of a 30 km/h speed limit in built-up areas, which will take place in October. Alderwoman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri says that they were surprised by such questions, as most citizens have already participated in referendums in the past. Registration is only necessary if one has not yet participated in municipal elections.

 

22. Approval of amendments to the municipal regulations (in closed session)

a) Amendment to the internal regulations for the « Agents communaux » (municipal agents)  of the Leudelange municipal administration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The municipal council approves the amended internal service regulations for municipal officials of the Leudelange municipal administration.

b) Amendment to the internal regulations for employees of the « Service régie » (control service) of the Leudelange municipal administration

The municipal council approves the amended internal service regulations for the « Service régie » of the Leudelange municipal administration.

 

23. Personnel matters (in closed session)

a) Application for retirement by a municipal employee

The municipal council decides to approve the application for early retirement submitted by Ms Nelly GREISCH and to grant her an honourable discharge from her duties on the grounds of voluntary retirement.

b) Application for retirement of an employee

The municipal council decides to approve the application for early retirement submitted by Mr Pascal LUCIUS and to grant him an honourable discharge from his duties on the grounds of voluntary retirement.

 

25. List of requests for pre-emptive rights

a) Discussion (in closed session)

b) Decision (in public session)

The municipal council decides not to exercise its right of first refusal with regard to plots 32/8066 and 32/8067, section A.