Local Residents and the Municipality Are Starting the Jan Evertsenlaan Redevelopment with a Clean Slate

A clean slate. That was the theme of the meeting organized by the municipality of Voorschoten on December 16 for residents living near the health center and the former church building on Jan Evertsenlaan. Alderman Hans van der Elst spoke with them about the redevelopment.

The city council has approved the redevelopment of the health center and the former church building on Jan Evertsenlaan. Three years ago, developer Weboma had already submitted a plan for a new six-story building, but this plan failed to gain support from local residents. Since a solution is needed, the city decided to first draft a memorandum.

Consultation with local residents, the owner, and the developer

Municipal experts are drafting the memorandum outlining the procedural and land-use requirements for the redevelopment. They are doing so in consultation with local residents, the owner of the health center, and the developer Weboma. The memorandum will then be submitted to the city council along with a council proposal.

To gather ideas with a clean slate, the municipality organized a meeting at the Alettahof. Thirteen local residents and two users of the health center attended. The program included a presentation by the alderman, discussions about the project’s content and public participation, and a walk through the neighborhood. In addition, local residents could sign up for a focus group.

Restoring Trust

“I thought: the city already has its plans all figured out, and we’re just supposed to sit back and keep quiet,” says one of the residents. “But after this meeting, I feel very differently about it. Our ideas were taken into account, the alderman and the city’s project manager listened carefully, and it was nice that they also took the time to walk around our neighborhood. That’s how I’m regaining my trust.”

Councilor Van der Elst: “I have a positive impression of how things went, knowing that the most difficult steps are still ahead of us. During the conversations on the street, I also really got the impression that many of the local residents are willing to work toward a reasonable compromise. I’m very pleased about that, because it’s our intention to carry out this and other redevelopment projects in our village with as much community support as possible.”