Hout and About

News from Residents’Association of Hout Bay

PO Box 27031, Hout Bay, 7872

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

March 2008

 

TREE PLANTING PROJECT

 

The City of Cape Town is to initiate a tree planting project on the Hout Bay Main Road at the onset of the rainy season, in April-May this year.

“This is part of City Parks’ initiatives to beautify and maintain the area.  Planning for this project is in an advanced phase and more details will be announced shortly,” says City Parks Director Christa le Roux.

Since November last year, City Parks has appointed contractors to cut unkempt verges in the road reserves, scenic routes, and other public open spaces.

 “These include the verges of Main Road from Constantia Neck to the foot of Chapman’s Peak Drive, Victoria Drive from Llandudno to the Hout Bay Harbour, as well as the scenic routes along Princess and Valley Roads.

“The contractors have also been mowing public open spaces within the Hangberg residential area.

 “The concrete palisade fence at the Hout Bay Cemetery is nearing completion and the balance of the project’s funds will be used to upgrade the building at the cemetery which is in desperate need of improvement.  The City will welcome any further suggestions for the cemetery upgrade as there might possibly be some funds left,” says Cllr Marian Nieuwoudt, the Mayco member for City Parks.

Other projects include tree pruning on the historic Oak Avenue near the Oak Hurst Farm Stall on the Main Road and the clearing of alien vegetation at the Hanging Meadow.

“Ward proposals for the 2008/2009 financial year include a low stone wall around the storm water channel at the Imizamo Yethu traffic circle, repairs to the irrigation at the traffic circle, and the planting of colourful plants along the front facade of the cemetery.

“Paint is available for the sprucing up of the Milkwood fence in Princess Road, but we need volunteers to help with the execution of this time consuming task,” Le Roux says.

Please contact Len Swimmer if you would like to volunteer your services.

 

CIVIC-MINDED YOUNG PEOPLE

The Residents Association of Hout Bay Exco hosted three scouts at their March Exco meeting.  The group are working towards their “Springbok” badge and they attended the meeting to learn and observe how Civic organisations function.

Springfield Convent learners pitched in to help with the removal of weeds from Wetland Rehabilitation area last month. As part of their community involvement these learners made a vital contribution to improving water quality in the Wetlands.

 

NEWS FROM HANGBERG

The Hangberg Neighbourhood Watch is up and running again under Mel Diamond’s careful leadership. 

A comprehensive outline plan for the upgrade of the informal settlement area in Hangberg is underway and residents are proactively finding solutions to the problems associated with informal housing construction and development.

 

 

COMMERCIAL SIGNAGE

Signage within Hout Bay has increased at an alarming rate during recent times. City officials remain reluctant to enforce laws and as a result our streets are littered with visual pollution and unsafe structures.

The present situation, typically illustrated on Victoria Avenue, is one where illegal signage has been permanently erected and the size increased, perhaps in a bid to be more prominent than a competitor.

This has resulted in a stark, commercial hub with little aesthetic appeal. We hope that the business owners can understand that this is not an attractive area and hence not one that attracts a flow of pedestrian patronage. A passing flow of tourists, for example, would be beneficial. An improvement to the visual appearance should result in an increase in property value and reduce vacancy rates.

The Residents’ Association of Hout Bay proposes that a signage standard be developed and enforced within Hout Bay. We invite the community to comment on the development and implementation of such a standard by visiting the web site http://houtbay.org.za .

 

CINEMAS VS SUPERMARKETS?

Proposed amendment of rezoning conditions.

Erf 2556 and ptn of Erf 9194 (previously 2553-7 & 6032):  The Association has commented on this application to amend the ‘Fisherman’s World Phase 3’ development plan for the South Bank of the Baviaans River (opposite Main Stream on the Checkers side). 

However, because the documentation was not available in the Library as advertised, the deadline for comment has been extended to Thursday 27 March.   Objections or comment may be sent to the SPA Planning & Building Development Management Administration, Plessis Building, Plumstead, Attention Mrs. D. Samaai, Fax 021 710-8283 (tel 710-8249).

An independent petition has been launched in the Library objecting to the scale of the development and drawing attention to the application.

Excerpt from RAHB submission:  “The application entails changing the approved development plan for a cinema, medical suite and craft market area on the south bank of the Baviaanskloof River to a retail centre (Pick and Pay supermarket, line shops and coffee shop).  The original uses were entrenched as specific conditions of approval and were part of a package used to ‘sell’ the development to the Council, Province and the Public (note Sentinel News, 12 July 2002, front page “It’s movie time!  Five cinemas planned for late 2003”).  This proposal constitutes a very significant change, not just an amendment, and therefore perhaps it should be handled differently, possibly as a new application.

Of particular significance, however, is the fact that this proposed change will result in the actual built area being increased by over 250% - this is a major deviation from the approved plan (from 1180 to 3109 sq.m) and is not supported.  This unnecessary densification will have considerable physical impacts on both the Baviaans River and its banks and the rest of the Village shopping area (Checkers complex and beyond) by changing the scale and extent of the development on the South Bank from what was envisaged as an ‘open air’ connection between the two shopping areas where the craft market was planned.   Such major changes together with the severe back façade of the large retail building will change the ambiance of this southerly area negatively, and for ever.” 

The service yard and refuse area are on the east side of the building and will negatively impact the pedestrian link over the river and previously envisaged heritage cottages interface with the rest of the development. 

 

OTHER APPLICATIONS

Erven 2293-2300, “Red Sails” Main Road opposite ‘Seven-Eleven’ – for Rezoning, Conditional Use and Departures to permit a restaurant and 18 residential units on two erven, and private open space (including swimming pool) for the remaining 6 Milkwood dune-forest erven.  Deadline for comment: Mon 7 April. Objections or comment  may be sent to Mrs. D. Samaai, Private Bag X5, Plumstead 7801; Fax 021 710-8283 (tel 710-8249).

Erf 8343 & 4719, 19 Oakhurst Ave off Main Road –for comments on the draft Basic Assessment Report (dBAR) for a proposal for 19 single residential erven, two private roads, one private open space and associated infrastructure on 31/2 hectares.  The report is in the Library and comments are to be sent  by deadline Fri 4 April to environmental consultant, Fabio Venturi, PO Box 30134 Tokai 7966 or Email: fabio@environmentalconsultants.co.za or fax to 021 712 5061 (Tel: 021 712 5060, Cell: 082 575 3800) by deadline.

 

SPEAKING OUT FOR HUGHENDEN

The Association received an impassioned letter from a concerned resident of Hughenden Estate who is appalled at the illegal activities that go unchecked along the boundary of IY and Hughenden.

“What is to be done about the illegal entrance at the top of Hughenden which is the root to all our troubles? Where else in S.A does a suburb share a road with an informal settlement?”

 

“I don’t mind living next to the township as that is something that I was aware of when I bought, but to be so neglected and ignored is unacceptable. My question is should I just move and let it become someone else’s problem or is there someone who will listen?”

 

The Residents' Association of Hout Bay has for many years asked for this access at the top of Hughenden Estate to be closed to IY. The matter was tabled at the Ward Forum meeting and the Association has initiated discussions with the relevant authorities.

 

The Residents’ Association is urging the City to re-instate the lockable gate for emergency vehicles only, thus sealing off this illegal entrance which will make the over-worked police's job a lot easier as well as solve some of the crime and sanitation issues in this area.  Completion of the “ring road” in IY and repair of existing roads that have fallen into disrepair could contribute to solving some of the issues of access and traffic flow within Imizamo Yethu.

 

SUB COUNCIL UPDATE

 

Erf 3470, 11 Louisa Way and Erf 4467, 30 Nooitgedacht Drive (Applications for subdivision and departure from minimum erf size):  RAHB had objected to both these applications and opposed Appeals by the applicants. There was a unanimous decision in the Sub Council to refuse both these applications.

 

Erf 5680, 62 Victoria Avenue (Application for Land Use Departure):  RAHB vigorously objected to this application as it does not comply with VAMP (Victoria Avenue Management Plan) and seeks to form a commercial node outside the designated commercial zone which stretches from Princess to Oxford Street.  The City's Planners recommended that this application be refused and the Sub-Council similarly ruled that refusal of the application was the only option.

 

Comments on Draft Basic Assessment

Erf 6252, Tierboskloof Estate, Hout Bay

The Association was invited to attend a meeting regarding the development of Erf 6252 and given an opportunity to comment on the draft Basic Assessment which was submitted on 22 February 2008. 

The proposed project consists of the ‘construction of a single dwelling (thatched-roofed house) of 288 m2, a garage of 70 m2 in extent and a short driveway from the existing access road.  The total size of the erf is 13 062 m2 and construction footprint is expected to be 1 347 m2.’  This rural erf lies high up on the mountain side and constitutes  pristine mountain fynbos, afromontane forest, wetlands and streams – a location about as unsuitable for hard development as one can get!

The Residents Association response was a detailed objection focused on the following critical areas: Environmental sensitivity, Services, Steepness of the site, Urban Edge and above 152m contour, Visual Impact, Zoned rural not residential, Original subdivision and Initial limited Public Participation.

 

ReDuce ReUse ReCycle!

 

During the first week of March a recycling drive was held at various shopping points in Hout Bay by the ‘3Rs’.  Shoppers were asked to leave their grocery shopping packaging (plastic, Styrofoam, clingwrap etc) at a collection point to highlight the importance of recycling our waste.

 

The 3Rs also took the Hout Bay recycling Depot to task about the sorting of recycling waste.  Interwaste who manage the Depot asked that any residents who are not satisfied with the service please call Stephan Morkel immediately on 079 519 8239  and e mail him stephanm@interwaste.co.za with a copy to the following City representatives Rustim Keraan ( Director of City Solid Waste)  rustim.keraan@capetown.gov.za

Alison Davison (City Head of Waste Minimization) alison.davison@capetown.gov.za

Tseko Magubane ( Head of Collections) Tseko.magubane@capetown.gov.za

Congrats to the 3Rs - Let’s team up to clean up with Interwaste and the City Solid Waste Department!

BEWARE!

Police are warning Cape Town residents to be aware of suspects masquerading as Electricity Department employees.  One person wearing identifying brown trousers and yellow shirts says they are installing geyser covers in houses to save electricity.  An appointment is made to do the work and a few days later a group arrive and start work on the geyser. Once residents relax, they group threaten the occupants with a firearm and rob the premises. Please be sure to ask any Council employees entering your premises to provide authentic identification.

RAHB WEBSITE

Visit our website and stay informed about what the Residents Association is doing.

www.houtbay.org.za

           

Dear Hout Bay Resident,

We invite you to join the Resident’s Association by sending an email to rahb@houtbay.org.za and we can send you details re membership and alert you to some of the important issues that might affect you as a resident of Hout Bay in our monthly newsletter. 

You might also want to use your skill to help the Association operate and participate in community affairs

MEMBERSHIP

(R50 per couple, R30 per individual)

Forms from Chairperson or Library. Association’s Banking Details:  FNB, Hout Bay(code 204009) A/c: Residents Association of Hout Bay, A/c Number – 5345 1027 173. 

Subscriptions may be paid electronically (please use your full name as a reference on the payment – to ensure that we correctly credit your membership as this information appears on our Bank Statement

If you prefer, payment may also be dropped into our wooden box at the Library (next to the Hall doors) or posted to our Post Office Box: 27031 Hout Bay, 7872.

Len Swimmer

Chairperson, Residents’ Assoc of Hout Bay

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

Residents Association of Hout Bay

AGM

Wed 16 APRIL 2008 at 19:30

Hout Bay Library Hall