In Cogolin, voters called upon to decide between two visions

After a breathless reading by the deputy for urban planning, in cathedral-like silence, with Cogolinois attentive at the windows of the Bastide Pisan, a first clash occurred when Geoffrey Pecaud launched the debate with a strong tackle, referring to "a climate of hysteria" triggered by the opposition.

The challenge was to validate this PLU project, which will outline the face of the future of Cogolin over a 15-year timescale. In short, a document for the future in the eyes of the majority. In the ranks of the opposition, it's an urban planning disaster.

The Unis pour Cogolin group noted that the deliberation was riddled with errors. Isabelle Farnet-Risso pointed out the inconsistencies, drawing applause from the audience at each mention. Only 23 comments were noted on the June consultation white paper. "You say the comments only concern the sports center. You forget the comments on the SCoT, housing, and fire risk. You only consulted 23 comments out of 140."

Tensions around the sports center

Mireille Escarrat, who jokes about her status as a "hysterical opponent," continues , "We recognize that the version takes into account all the elements contained in the new laws, but we regret that behind all the expressions that tick all the boxes needed to appear concerned about climate change, ecology, urban well-being, and the preservation of agricultural land, there is the sad reality of what is happening in Cogolin."

Regarding the sports complex, "everyone knows that it is not close to the city center, nor close to schools, nor to urban neighborhoods and you know this better than anyone since you want to build more housing between this sports center and the existing neighborhoods and this future complex." (...) She continues: "It is written that this will require land acquisitions. How can we include this project in the PLU when the vast majority of owners do not want to sell?"

SAGEP crystallizes fears

There is distrust between the two camps over the terms of the concession signed with a public developer, SAGEP. The concession was validated for 10 years in 2023, particularly regarding the sale of stadiums in the city center.

"In the contract with SAGEP signed by the former mayor ," continues the opposition leader, "the two stadiums are downgraded to build 39,500m² and 1,300 private parking spaces. He has made a good commitment to SAGEP!" - "Only if the municipality decides to activate this possibility," objects Geoffrey Pecaud.

The term "virtuous density" makes the opponent cry, "while you have allowed Cogolin to be concreted over. What green spaces do you want to preserve in Cogolin?" - "As I told you, the green network allows us to preserve all the gardens in the city center," the ^4th deputy unfolds. - "Private gardens," the elected representative asks again? - "Absolutely," the deputy clarifies. - "You haven't created any green spaces!" Mireille Escarrat laments.

Regarding housing, "the municipality has signed a contract with SAGEP, in which the objective is to create 59,000 m² of housing floor space. Who will occupy all these buildings?" she asks. "In this case, the large-scale constructions that will take place in the city center will have to include a social component. We will have to know where to place the cursors in the coming months," says Geoffrey Pecaud.

To defuse the SAGEP conflict, Mayor Christiane Lardat is attempting an exit: "Currently, SAGEP only has projects, there's no groundbreaking yet." - "But everything is planned: SAGEP will never give up on all these projects," predicts the opponent. - "It's the municipality that has the upper hand in this relationship," adds Geoffrey Pecaud. "The municipality will decide what will be done. It is not at the mercy of an outside power."

Asked about the Yotel project, the deputy stated that this site, partly intended for real estate development, will be used "to finance city projects. This land must be used to its full potential."

Country accents...

In his speech after this debate, the ^4th deputy delivered a very political message: "It is appropriate to put urban planning debates at the heart of the upcoming campaign. It is necessary to give the voters a voice. Since the different political forces seem very sure about what should be done, or especially what should not be done (...). No one doubts that the potential politicians who have taken up the stadium issue will be able to formulate quantified proposals on the renewal of infrastructure. No one doubts that they will be able to guarantee the financing of 20 million euros of work, without giving up a single centimeter of synthetic turf. Also, our municipality is committed to respecting citizens and will ensure that the PLU is adapted following the public inquiry." Verdict of the ballot boxes

"Ball in the center ," said deputy Geoffrey Pecaud, who assured that "the question of the stadium district will be decided by the election. The two zones to be urbanized will continue to exist but their regulation will remain to be completed by the next municipal majority," by a modification of the PLU (...) It is now up to the candidates to work on their program during this month of August. I wish them a studious vacation."

An elected official who will ultimately seek to resonate with his Cogolinois roots: "As a local, you should know that I would not have allowed a regulation to be passed that would distort our village and shake its foundations, but I do not, however, fetishize the slightest sidewalk, the slightest centimeter of synthetic lawn, under the pretext that it has been there for 70 years. (...) The native Cogolinois must not become stuck on an urban form as they knew it decades ago, when it is necessarily in flux."