Hout and About

News from Residents’Association of Hout Bay

PO Box 27031, Hout Bay, 7872

- Nov 2005

PARKING IN VICTORIA AVENUE

We have had various queries regarding shop owners at the top end of Victoria Avenue (such as Video Rite and The Wine Barrel) claiming that the parking outside their shops is reserved for their customers only. We contacted the South Peninsula Administration (SPA) about this, and Mr Erhard Pienaar from Land Use Development, City of Cape Town, clearly states in his correspondence that “a 5m servitude has been registered on Erf 8623, running parallel with Victoria Avenue, in favour of the public for access and parking purposes. These parking bays, although constructed by the developer at the time, are therefore public parking and cannot be used exclusively for customers only.”

Now that Mr Pienaar has clarified the situation, we hope that the signs (declaring exclusive use) will be taken down by the shopkeepers concerned. The Council will be following up with this issue.

HUGHENDEN

A meeting arranged by the Meadows and Hughenden Neighbourhood Watch at Kronendal School on 13 October to address the unacceptable state of affairs regarding crime apparently emanating from the spillover from Imizamo Yethu, was attended by approx 300 residents. The “City Council simply did not pitch up without declining or accepting the invitation” in spite of full details (and a specific invitation to attend) had been sent to the relevant Mayoral Executive Committee members.

The meeting was told that the City Council believes that there is ‘no growth in IY’ and that the new shacks on the mountain slope is as a result of displaced families from the building of houses in IY. It remains, however, that there are many more structures than the City agreed to, and land needs to be urgently found elsewhere for those displaced.

FIREWORKS

Once again, although enjoyed by many humans, fireworks caused anguish amongst many Hout Bay pets around 5 November – one wonders how the wild animals feel! It is a pity this completely irrelevant historical character (Guy Faukes) is still celebrated in this country (especially as fireworks had virtually been eradicated a few years ago).

COUNCIL INTERVIEWS

We attended 3 interviews with the City Council’s Spatial Planning, Environment and Land Use Management (SPELUM) Committee last Wednesday regarding:

- Erf 3074, La Mont, Andrews Road: The numerous objections made by Scott Estate residents to the proposed subdivision of this erf were overridden, but at least the size of the resultant erven had been adjusted so that the minimum erf size of 650 sq.m is being complied with. Residents, unhappy with the precedent being set and the likely domino effect changing the character of Scott Estate, intend to appeal against this decision, as they believe that it is generally undesirable and benefits only the applicant.

- Erf 247-8 & 250, Cote d'Azur, Victoria Ave: The application to extend the building was passed as the required additional parking was provided.

- Erf 4558, Saddlers Row, Victorskloof: The decision regarding the application to subdivide was held over as the Councillors requested a site visit

SALE OF PUBLIC-OWNED LAND

Concerned residents have informed us that a tract of open space, between Edward Street and Northshore Drive, is being sold by the Council for residential development. The erven concerned are erf numbers 639 (9 Edward Street), 643 (13 Edward Street), 640 (15 Edward) and 644 (17 Edward Street) - all 496 sq.m and allegedly sold for R740 000,00 each. This area was thought to be Public Open Space, but enquiries have revealed that it is Council-owned land zoned Single Residential. Of concern is that the land seemed to be sold without being advertised or the public being informed thereof. Of more general concern is that the Council is selling so many of its assets willy nilly – this is equated to ‘selling the family silver’, once gone they can never be regained.

SOME UPDATES

Erf 4834, Froggs Leap B&B, 15 Baviaans Close: The Council committee approval of this B&B flagrantly violates established council policy for Category 2 B&Bs, in that the owner / tenant must reside on the said property. The whole point of this policy, as laid down by Council, is to afford supervision against potential noise and nuisance, which in this case is affecting the rights of abutting neighbours. We have thus appealed against the decision and requested that the Land Use Inspector (in terms of the Municipal Systems Act) immediately suspend operations at these premises (which have been in violation of council policy for 4 years), pending the outcome of this appeal. An inspection has been planned.

Erf 7824 & 1832, Dirty Dicks: Objections and appeals against this proposed development (very large block of flats with some commercial on ground floor) have been overridden on condition that the developer does a visual impact assessment. RAHB has asked the Provincial Administration to list the reasons for their decision, and to inform us as to what further action can be taken against this issue.

Erf 8344, Groot Moddergat: Earlier this year we objected to the proposal to rezone and subdivide the area round the historic farmhouse into 16 Special Residential erven. The developer has now requested a meeting to discuss our objections on Wed morning 16 November. This land has already been developed beyond its capacity with the high density North Oaks being approved some years ago on the understanding that the high density would be compensated for by leaving the rest of the land free. This is a significant historical site and what remains of it, needs to be preserved within its sense of place, which includes, among other things, the surrounding landscape. There has to be a limit as to how many times a piece of land can be used for profit, especially those of historical significance.

ExCo CO-OPTIONS

I’d like to welcome Brad Geyser, Sandra Maguire and Justin O’Riain onto our ExCo and wish them success in caring for Hout Bay. Currently RAHB portfolios are:

Len Swimmer (Chairperson, Planning & Enviro) Pierre Steyn (Deputy Chair, Web Master)

Valerie Rossi (Minutes & Mail Admin)

Penny Brown (Planning & Enviroment)

Norman Briggs (Planning & Rates)

Cecil Bloch (Health )

Brad Geyser & Sandra Maguire (Security & Safety)

Justin O’Riain & Xandrine Semple (Wetlands, Verges & Public Open Spaces)

Mary Brodziak, XS & LS (Signage)

Applications to Council: Note that comments and objections may be sent (before the specified deadline in each case) to: The Municipal Manager, Urban and Environmental Services, South Peninsula Admin, City of Cape Town, Private Bag X5, Plumstead 7801 or faxed to 021 710-8283 (tel.–8202); attention Mr. M. Barnes. The general telephone number for the SPA is 710-8000.

Len Swimmer

Chairperson, Residents’ Assoc of Hout Bay

Tel: 790-0268, Email: lens@telkomsa.net

MEMBERSHIP

(R50 per couple, R30 per individual)

Forms from Chairperson or Library.

- Nov 2005