Riihimäki City Council approved solar energy projects and voted on the master plan

The agenda of the Riihimäki City Council on Monday, May 19, 2025 was quite long. Among the decisions to be made were two solar energy projects, a master plan, the International Riihimäki program, additional funding for the swimming pool, and the real estate arrangement of the city and Oma Häme.

The City Government is launching a zoning plan related to solar energy projects in the Vasikkahaka and Silmäkeneva areas. According to the government, the implementation of solar power plants will promote the city's goals of carbon neutrality and sustainable development. According to the government, the projects meet the requirements of the city's land policy.

The areas planned for the power plants are mainly unplanned areas. According to the city's land policy, privately owned unplanned land will only be planned if the city's interests require it for special reasons.

The zoning application was made by a private landowner. According to the applicant, the average output of the power plants would cover the annual electricity consumption of approximately 12 households. At the same time, it is estimated that it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 000 tons per year.

As a result of the zoning, one of the power plants would be located in a field area southeast of the Vasikkahaa and Räätykänmäki residential areas, and the other in a forested swamp area east of the Kynttilätie industrial area. Both areas are approximately 80 hectares in size.

In the city's master plan 2035, the areas have been designated as agricultural and forestry-dominated areas and they are located in an important groundwater area and flood risk area. During the planning work, the project's impacts on groundwater, stormwater, natural values, landscape and ancient monuments would be investigated, among other things. The master plan also designates the area as a core area for hiking and outdoor activities, and the development of outdoor trails would also be examined in connection with the project.

Change to the master plan after the vote

After the vote, the city government amended the draft decision on the master plan. It decided to propose to the city council that the master plan for Riihimäki be approved, with the exception of the agricultural and forestry-dominated area located on the border of the municipality of Loppe. This position was supported in the vote by Eija Aittola (Collective), Riku Bitter (Collective), Riitta Takala (Collective), Hannele Saari (Kd.) and Juha Peltola (PS.).

The original proposal for a resolution was supported by Minna Belik (left), Erja Hirviniemi (left), Niina Bitter (sd), Lauri Jormanainen (sd) and Petri Mattila (sd). When the votes were tied, the vote of the chairman of the city council, Riku Bitter, was decisive.

The master plan, which will extend to 2050, will maintain the current urban structure of Riihimäki as dense and compact. With the plan, the city will ensure that the areas reserved for construction will enable the projected population growth and housing production. The plan will also create the conditions for increasing the supply of business and industrial plots along main roads and railways, as well as at traffic junctions.

No additional funding for the swimming pool

At this stage, the City Board is not proposing to the Council to grant additional funds or increase spending related to the swimming pool. The Technical Committee proposed to the City Board and then to the Council that an additional fund of 900 euros be granted for the swimming pool renovation project.

The total funding for the renovation of the swimming pool was 15,1 million euros at the start of the project. As the renovation progressed, needs for additional and modification work emerged, resulting in the city council changing the budget to 16,9 million euros. The renovation costs could rise to 17,8 million euros.

City buying hospital plot

The City Board proposes to the Council that it allocate an additional appropriation of 2,93 million euros for the purchase of the Riihimäki Hospital plot. The land acquisition is related to the real estate arrangements between the city and Oma Häme.

The aim is for the city to purchase the hospital plot from Oma Häme. The buildings on the plot would remain in the ownership of Oma Häme, but it would pay rent to the city for the plot. Correspondingly, the city of Riihimäki would sell the Riihikodi building and the Riihimäki fire station to Oma Häme. Oma Häme would pay the city a down payment of approximately 1,5 million euros in connection with the transaction.

The International Riihimäki action plan was approved by the city government and is being submitted to the city council for information. The plan defines six key measures that will help the city achieve internationalization. The city has already implemented some of the measures.

The creation of the International Riihimäki program is important because the city's population has become more international. The number of people who speak a language other than Finnish as their mother tongue has increased in Riihimäki by approximately 800 people in two years.

The city council decided to reward the Riihimäki handball club Riihimäen Cocks for winning the 2025 handball championship with a check for 2000 euros. In addition, the city will invite the championship team to coffee and cake.

Read previous news city ​​council decision-making (May 2025).