On Monday afternoon, the preliminary relief judge considered whether the Haarlem city council was right to decide not to hold a referendum on the introduction of paid parking in eleven districts. We will know more about the referendum in two weeks.
Slight despair in the eyes of the ushers of the court on Jansstraat in Haarlem. More than a hundred Haarlemmers reported to the provisional relief judge for the case about the parking policy. It was clear that such interest had not been expected on such a sweltering working day. The seat was eventually moved to a larger room and additional chairs had to be placed there as well.
Objections and advice
Frans de Goede and Wim Kleist brought the case against the city council of Haarlem. It determined on March 30 that paid parking will be introduced in eleven neighborhoods in the city and that no referendum will be held on the issue. De Goede and Kleist had previously requested a referendum and received the required 400 statements of support within a week. Another 8,000 Haarlem residents signed a petition against the introduction of paid parking and the municipality also received 1,200 objections to the plan.
The referendum committee also recommended holding a referendum on parking policy, but the coalition parties brushed aside all objections and advice, and so a majority of the council canceled the referendum.
“I think common sense will prevail in the end”
To the anger of a large part of the opposition, including SP, JouwHaarlem, OPHaarlem and Hart voor Haarlem. Going to court was already announced during the council meeting and on Monday afternoon the preliminary relief judge actually considered whether the decision of the city council should be temporarily suspended.
It turned out to be quite a technical session and the judge will take two weeks before she comes to a verdict. Frans de Goede and Wim Kleist are hopeful that they will be proved right, they reported after the hearing.
Frans de Goede: “My feeling is that the judge at least listened carefully. She was very interested and we only hope for a positive result.” Kleist adds: “I am absolutely moderately positive. I think that common sense will ultimately prevail and that there will soon be progressive insight among the city council. That they take a new decision that does listen to the citizen. happened is the tyranny of democracy.”
“I advise councilors to listen very carefully to the verdict soon”
Party leader Ruud Kuin of the SP sat with De Goede and Kleist in court. Kuin has a good feeling about the seat. “I thought it was very good. Two questions were central: is there an urgent interest and was the decision of March 30 already taken?”
Earlier, a referendum on parking policy was also held. Because the turnout was too low, the result was declared invalid. It is not possible to hold a referendum on the same decision twice, so that question is important.
Ruud Kuin: “From the questions from the judge, I conclude that the judge also doubts whether it concerns the same decision. I advise council members to listen very carefully to the verdict. The council will have to make a new decision in September anyway , because many objections have been lodged.”
Good step closer
But there is a good chance that the council will make the same decision, because the same council members will also be there. Kuin: “That is why it is so useful and important that this case takes place now, before that new session. I am hopeful that the referendum has come a good step closer.”
Frans de Goede and Wim Kleist emphasize that their goal is not to stop the introduction of paid parking. They want a say: “You just have to be able to be heard as a Haarlemmer”, says De Goede. “The municipality’s support survey was simply thrown in the trash. It was not to their liking.”
Kleist: “The municipality has the opportunity to listen to the citizens here and then they don’t. I think that’s the most scandalous thing. They are there for us, not the other way around.”
The preliminary relief judge will rule no later than June 26.