Hout and About

News from Residents’Association of Hout Bay

PO Box 27031, Hout Bay, 7872

rahb@houtbay.org.za       www.houtbay.org.za

[July 05]

 

CHAPMAN’S PEAK DRIVE

 

At long last the Record of Decision (RoD) has been issued on the positioning of and structures for the permanent Toll Plazas planned for the on Chapman’s Peak Drive toll road – see elsewhere in the The Coastal Chronicle for more detail and where to get a copy of the RoD and Appeal forms. 

Note that the deadline for appeal is very soon – Tuesday 2 August.(it was incorrectly advertised as Monday 1 August)  As so often happens, the RoD was released during the holiday period thus leaving relatively little time for those who have been away to do the necessary.  Nonetheless, we suggest that members of the Public avail themselves of the opportunity to appeal – so many people from many walks of life have put considerable effort into trying to influence this process to the benefit of the Public, rather than just make money for a select few.  Don’t leave it to someone else to do!

APPLICATIONS TO COUNCIL

Erf 2574, Melkhout Crescent (next to Library):  Proposed departure to permit a maximum height of three storeys in lieu of two storeys.  Objections to be faxed (or posted) to Mr. M. Barnes, SPA, 3 Victoria Road, Plumstead, (fax 710-8283) by deadline of Wed 27 July. 

Erf 4797, 15 Park Avenue (off Valley Rd):  Proposed temporary departure to extend permission for an existing Bed & Breakfast facility on the property.  Deadline for objections: Thurs 4 August.

PRE-APPLICATION

Erf 199 & 202, Victoria Avenue:  the owner is planning to submit a rezoning application from Single Residential to Commercial for an Hotel and has met with us and some of the neighbours in an attempt to pre-empt objections.  We are concerned about the intended mass of the building and its visual impact on the streetscape of Victoria Ave.  The architect seems to have managed to squeeze four storeys into 8 metres using the slope of the sand dune, in addition to a basement.  We are investigating.  

 

FOLLOW UP ON PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS

Erf 3363, 155 Empire Ave (physiotherapy practice):  The Council planning committee has approved the application for a temporary Land Use Departure to permit a physiotherapy practice in an approved second dwelling, but with conditions.  Approval is for a 5-year maximum period, as is normal.  Only on-site parking is permitted; no reversing onto Empire Avenue is allowed, the road verge is not to be used for parking at any time.  The number of physiotherapy practitioners allowed to practise on the site is limited to two, with one additional ancillary staff (e.g. receptionist).  Should the operation lead to traffic problems at the Empire Ave/Victoria Road intersection, Council may require remedial action, failing that, approval can be withdrawn.  Opportunity to appeal against this ruling is available, deadline Wed 27 July 2005, and any appeal must be lodged with the Municipal Manager, Private Bag X5, Plumstead 7801.

Erf 1593, Main Road (doctor’s surgery):  The Council has approved the application for a temporary Land Use Departure to permit a doctor’s surgery on a Single Residential property, but with conditions.  A maximum of one practitioner and one assistant operate at any given time and a maximum of two practitioners to practice from the property.  The road verge is not used for parking at any time, and there must be no reversing onto Main Road.  Should the operation lead to traffic problems, approval can be withdrawn.  Deadline for appeal to the Municipal Manager, Private Bag X5, Plumstead 7801is by Wed 27 July 2005.

Erf 3567, Marlin Crescent, Hout Bay Heights (cellular mast on school):  The application to install another mast and ancillary equipment onto the roof of the Secondary School has been approved by the Council Planning Committee.  Concerns regarding potential heath impacts have been disregarded.  An appeal against the decision may be sent to The Municipal Manager, Private Bag X5, Plumstead 7801 by the deadline Wed 27 July 2005.

Erf 1307, proposed Sugarbush development off Nooitgedacht Road:  The applicant has lodged an ‘out of time’ appeal (i.t.o. Regulation 18 of Section 44 of the Land Use Planning Ordinance, LUPO) to the Provincial Department of Environmental  Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) as he feels that the Council has taken too long to process this application.  We are investigating.    Deadline for comment on the appeal is Wed 3 August.  Comments to be sent to the DEADP, Integrated Environmental Management, Region B (att: Mr. Lombard), 1 Dorp Street, Cape Town (tel 483-8778, email alombaar@pgwc.gov.za).

 

 

Len Swimmer

Chairperson, Residents’ Assoc of Hout Bay

Tel 790-0268 lens@telkomsa.net, www.houtbay.org.za

MEMBERSHIP

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Forms from Chairperson or Library or

rahb@houtbay.org.za        [July 2005]