At Friday’s extraordinary municipal assembly, the residents of Saanen clearly approved all items on the agenda, including three large-scale projects: the redevelopment of the Rellerli gondola, upgrades to the Saanenmöser-Schönried tourism area, and increased planning funds for a new sports and events hall in Gstaad.

A total of 483 eligible voters—around 13 percent of the electorate—took part in the meeting, which was chaired for the first time by Hans Schär in his new role as President of the Municipal Assembly and led by Petra Schläppi in her first assembly as Mayor. Below is a summary of the key decisions.

Rellerli Gondola: Zoning Plan Approved
By 387 votes to 77, residents approved the development plan and the associated zoning and building regulations for a new ten-person gondola to the Rellerli. The original lift was decommissioned in 2019, but the association Freunde des Rellerli (Friends of Rellerli), in collaboration with Mountain View AG, now plans a new, privately financed project.

The proposal focuses on sustainable tourism, avoiding ski slope grooming or summer attractions like a toboggan run. The new gondola will feature quiet, modern technology and transport up to 600 people per hour, ensuring year-round accessibility to the Rellerli-Hundsrügg area.

Municipal councillor Patricia Matti explained that five objections and two legal notices were submitted during the public consultation, primarily regarding corridor width, noise levels, landscape protection, and inadequate procedural coordination. Two objections have since been withdrawn. The council will now ask the canton to dismiss the remaining objections and acknowledge the legal notices.

Saanenmöser-Schönried: Upgrades for Year-Round Tourism
With 430 in favour and 33 against, the assembly approved changes to the development plan, zoning, and building regulations for the Saanenmöser-Schönried area, which aims to transform it into a year-round destination.

Plans include replacing outdated infrastructure—such as the Schönried–Horneggli and Saanenwald–Hornfluh chairlifts—with modern gondola and chairlift systems, creating new mountain bike and children’s trails, and improving parking around the Schönried valley station.

The project is being led by Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG (BDG) and Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus (GST). Councillor Matti noted that eight objections and five legal notices were submitted; seven have since been withdrawn. The concerns primarily addressed traffic on Hornbergstrasse rather than the project itself.

SP Saanen President Martin Hefti proposed amending the building regulations to replace the term " chairlift " with “gondola lift” in order to prevent confusion and assist with the building application.

Planning Funds Approved for Sports and Events Hall in Gstaad
The municipality approved an increase in the existing planning credit for the new sports and events hall on the Saanematte, with 356 voting in favour and 100 against. The key vote concerned a CHF 3.885 million contribution from the municipality, bringing the total planning budget to CHF 4.33 million.

The project is part of a larger development aimed at expanding Gstaad’s sports and cultural infrastructure. This development also encompasses the privately funded Gstaad Concert Hall and a new car park. The sports centre company Sportzentrum Gstaad AG will oversee construction. The canton’s New Regional Policy (CHF 160,000) and the company’s own funds (CHF 300,000) provide additional financing.

Councillor Nathanael Perreten also mentioned a competing private project in Rougemont that involves a concert hall and museum. The municipal council is closely monitoring its progress. If that project proceeds first, the council has the authority to suspend local funding. However, Gstaad’s plan is currently more advanced and regarded as a flagship initiative.

One resident proposed delaying the vote until a hydrogeological assessment could be conducted, citing previous extreme weather events. Perreten responded that such studies are integral to the planning phase and require the funding currently in question. The motion to postpone was rejected with 93 votes in favour and 357 against.

Miscellaneous: Update on Renewable Energy Initiatives
The motion to investigate alternative energy sources, submitted by Ernst Frautschi in December 2023, was formally closed by the municipal assembly.

Councillor Klaus Romang reported on various options, including photovoltaic panels (PV), biomass, and small hydroelectric power. For example, using the “Palace spring” could only power about 22 households at a high cost and was therefore not pursued. More viable options include installing PV systems on municipal buildings, walls, and depots.

Councillor Martin Hefti emphasised that several public buildings have already been upgraded or equipped with PV panels, and more are planned. Energy-saving measures like improved insulation are also key.

Councillor Patricia Matti emphasised the importance of preserving the village and landscape character. The so-called “cascade model” prioritises PV on roofs first, followed by façades of industrial and agricultural buildings, then retaining walls, and finally other façades—only if rooftop PV already exists. She also mentioned that the recently launched energy incentive programme has received its first applications.

Under the same item, Martin Hefti inquired about the stalled renovation of the Saanen car park. Councillor Romang confirmed that a provisional car park was established on farmland during the construction phase, and the canton’s licensing authority is currently reviewing the matter. A detailed update will soon be published in the Anzeiger von Saanen and GL.m

Based on AvS | JOP