News
from Residents’Association of Hout Bay
PO
Box 27031, Hout Bay, 7872
rahb@houtbay.org.za www.houtbay.org.za
April
05
- Citywide concerns -
We arranged a meeting (on Sat 9 April) of concerned civic associations and trusts who had communicated with us about the proposed Integrated Zoning Scheme (IZS) for the greater Cape Town area following our letter in a daily newspaper. Eleven associations from different parts of the City were represented, with others interested but unable to attend.
Of obvious concern are the single residential zoning proposals for relaxation of height and building line restrictions as well as the automatic 2nd dwelling and B&B rights. The IZS will also amend zoning regulations to regularise current illegal land-uses that should be enforced, but that the City is often not implementing.
Also of concern is the procedure followed by the City to date with fundamental principles of Integrated Environmental Management, as required by the National Environmental Management Act, not being complied with. The ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not appropriate and contravenes the property rights granted in the Bill of Rights as well as numerous statutory planning provisions and the City’s own planning guidelines.
We are currently studying the substantial
documents and maps and intend submitting comments. We encourage civic-minded individuals and organizations to inform
themselves because, when implemented, some of the proposals will have a
profound affect on the fabric of our residential areas. A copy of the
documentation is in the Library or electronically obtainable from LUMS@capetown.gov.za. Comments
can be sent, e-mailed or faxed to the following addresses, email matthysen@capetown.gov.za (attention Susan Matthysen, tel 983-8431) or
fax 021-938-8509; or sent to the
Director: Planning and Environment, attention:
Mr. M Jones, Integrated Zoning Scheme, Goodwood Municipal Building,
Voortrekker Road, Goodwood, 7460. Deadline for comment – Wed 11
May 2005.
Disa River Bridge area: The owner of Disa River Farm (Erf 1491 corner of Disa River Rd / Main Rd) has applied for a Land Use Departure for commercial use to allow a landscape and earthmoving business. This would include the storage and maintenance of earthmoving vehicles such as bulldozers, diggers and trucks, plus metal and carpentry workshops and offices. It would seem the property is already being run as such. It is the Resident Association’s belief that such a land use is not allowed in an agricultural zoning even as a ‘consent use’ and therefore we will be objecting. Situated next to a river and in a residential area, this is not an appropriate place for activities that can be categorised as semi-industrial. Deadline for comment is 21 April.
We also note that the property across the river from Erf 1491 is being used for a similar purpose, presumably without permission. The Association will be following this up. Trucks and Bulldozers turn into this property straight after the bridge. Planks put there for this purpose have been causing a traffic hazard and the kerbstones have been damaged.
SQUATTING-RELATED PROBLEMS
Residents from Hughenden Estate have on numerous occasions reported various problems believed to be linked mainly to the inhabitants of the shacks on the mountain above them. Issues of concern range from robbery to the stench of raw sewage and refuse and illegal road- and pedestrian-entry to Imizamo Yethu. Most recently a shack has been erected on public open space in the estate itself. Also the lock on the gate at the top of Hughenden has been broken repeatedly so that taxis can gain access to the mountain where a large number of people have settled without water or sanitation facilities. Local officials have agreed to put another lock on the top gate if the Hughenden residents can put a guard on duty to prevent the gate and lock from being broken.
The Hughenden residents are desperate to have their living environment restored to some sort of normality but find that their requests are not heard by the City – they are at their wit’s end and many are suffering from depression.
Once again we have reported this issue to the authorities and encourage all residents who notice such problems to report them as soon as possible and not rely on anyone else to do so, and to inform others to do the same. We have been asked to publicize contact details of officials who can help in this respect. They are:
Squatter Control: Mr Tobela 0800225669 (or Johan Botha) - they can then get in touch with South Peninsula Law Enforcement’s Land Invasion Division to find out what they have done about the reported shack erection. Hout Bay staff fall under Mr. J. Tommy tel. 703-3075.
VICTORIA AVENUE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
Currently there are a few
development projects in the Victoria Ave commercial area at various stages of
the application process. We are
concerned that in some cases officials are encouraging / allowing development
which is contrary to the zoning scheme.
This needs to be cleared up.
DUMPING OF FILL IN DUNES
A considerable amount of ‘fill’ has been dump by the developer of Erf 559 (near The Beach Club on Princess Rd). This was noted, photographed and reported to the authorities. The developer’s consultants have attempted to evade the issue but the specialist report very clearly states that “ecologically, the site is highly sensitive to the presence of (a) a semi-mobile primary dune system and (b) a wetland". It recommends the following:
- "the wetland on the site should be conserved and, where possible, the likely historical link with the Hout Bay River should be re-established"
- "the dune system between the Erf and the
high-water mark should be conserved and should form part of a corridor, albeit fragmented, stretching from the Karbonkelberg to the main Peninsula Mountain chain".
We would very much like to see the
developer remove the dumped material and restore the sand dune, and not just
cover up the mess. We are waiting for a
formal response from the authorities (Mr. Mark Callahan
- S P A and Mr Zahir Toefy - DEAD&P)
and action from the developer.
DISPUTE OVER P.O.S
It has been brought to our notice
that the Developer of Avignon (Bethal Farm) has applied for the public land between them and
the World of Birds to be rezoned from its designated zoning of Public Open
Space to Private Open Space. We have
not been officially informed about this but believe that this is not in the
interests of the Public and should be opposed, if this is in fact the
case. There also appears to be a
dispute regarding the use of the water emanating from the stream on this Open
Space.
Chairperson, Residents’ Assoc of Hout Bay
Tel 790-0268 lens@telkomsa.net, www.houtbay.org.za
MEMBERSHIP:
(R50
per couple, R30 per individual)
Forms from Chairperson or Library or
rahb@houtbay.org.za
[April 2005]