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31 of the 33 Schlüchtern city councilors met on Monday evening for the last meeting of this electoral period. The topics required discussion, for example the planned expansion of the Vomberg company in the Schlüchtern industrial area.
Schlüchtern – The fact that the Vomberg company wants to grow and is planning an expansion at the location of the new hall in the Schlüchtern industrial area is completely uncritical from the city parliament's point of view. The only thing that has been discussed is the size of the area that the city will sell to the company. The original application mentioned 30,000 square meters, which would be sufficient for the expansion (for now).
The Vomberg company is allowed to grow on six hectares in Schlüchtern
CDU parliamentary group leader Florian Varinli introduced an amendment from the Christian Democrats, according to which the company should be offered twice the area, i.e. 60,000 square meters. In addition, it should be contractually stipulated that areas that are not needed can be bought back. In his speech, Varinli pointed out that the company's expansion plans were “very good news for Schlüchtern”. “If you want to invest, you need perspectives,” and these should be given to the company. Varinli said we should not talk about concerns, but about opportunities. “Schlüchtern doesn’t think small of economic development,” he noted.
Lea Rüffer (Greens) said that it is fundamentally to be welcomed if local companies want to develop further. It is also positive that the location on Gartenstrasse would be given a new use in terms of urban development as a result of the relocation. Two grocers are to move in there.
However, Rüffer pointed out that Vomberg managing director Stefanie Roßmar had described an area of 30,000 square meters, as described in the magistrate's submission, as sufficient for the time being. From their point of view, providing a further 30,000 square meters as an option – contractually regulated with options for action for the city – is “an appropriate and balanced way”, said Rüffer. The Green MP also pointed out that the areas were “high-quality agricultural arable and grassland locations with good yield potential”. “Such soils are of great importance for regional agriculture.”
The SPD and CDU agree to a “big solution” for Vomberg
SPD parliamentary group leader Helmut Meister jumped to Varinli's side by stating: “The SPD supports the long-term development of Vomberg.” And: “With the CDU’s amendment, everything is settled.” The motion was accepted with the votes of the SPD and CDU. However, another amendment that Jo Härter presented for the FDP parliamentary group did not find a majority. Härter said that the three hectares were enough for expansion. And what if an investor came? “We don’t have any other commercial space,” he noted.
In their application, the Liberals had called for 30,000 square meters to be made available to the company in order to maintain competitiveness. The application also contained the requirement that this area be developed within three years and that the Vomberg company be granted a limited right of first refusal to acquire a further 30,000 square meters of land. This additional area should then be acquired within three months and developed within another three years.
Gerd Neumann (Greens) reported that Vomberg's corporate strategy was designed for growth, but that 30,000 square meters should be sufficient for the planning for the time being. There was no majority for the FDP motion due to the negative votes from the CDU and SPD, but the Greens, FDP, BBB and the two non-attached MPs voted for it.
It was only about a year ago that… Vomberg celebrated its 115th anniversary and the opening of a new logistics center.
