News from Residents’
Association of
rahb@houtbay.org.za www.houtbay.org.za
June 2008
More Apartment Blocks for
Two properties for development sold
on auction
Two pieces of prime
The first piece of property is Erf 1120, measuring 1339 sq. metres and
located just 70 metres from the beach in
The second property comprises Erven 2858, 2836 and 8241, measuring a
total of 1985 sq. metres. It is bordered by
Commenting on the first piece of property, RAHB Chairman Len Swimmer
said “Should the development be kept at 2 storeys and the proper building lines
be maintained, the scale of the building would be more appropriate for the area
and the size of the plot”.
Mr. Swimmer reflected on the proposed development of the second property
“The plans were originally met with a barrage of objections and letters and from
the objectors’ attorney. Not only was
the intended development directly on a natural wetland, but the proposed
structure would have blocked off the light, air and mountain views of the small
block of double storey town houses behind the proposed flats. Building on a wetland and floodplain is strictly
against environmental planning and laws”.
CELL PHONE MASTS AND
YOUR HEALTH
Residents may be interested to know that the
application for the erection of a cell mast is applied for on the grounds of
environmental legislation, not health legislation. This is based on a letter from the Department
of Health Radiation Protection Division to the Head of the Department of
Environmental Affairs instructing that health based objections received
regarding cell masts cannot be used as a reason for declining an application
since, according to the World Health Organisation, there is no risk.
A change in the regulations on 2 July 2007
moved cell mast applications from the A list to the B list. This means that an Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) is no longer needed.
Without the pre-requisite requirement of an EIA, an application for the
erection of a mast can be completed with minimal public involvement.
The World Health Organisation has however,
recommended that masts not be erected in school grounds due to the sensitivity
of children to radio frequency emissions.
RAHB is committed to closely monitoring all
applications for cell masts on the grounds of possible harmful effects and
visual degradation of our environment.
PROUD
OF WHAT WE HAVE
Urban conservation
Our Association attends many meetings on land-use issues in Sub Council
Chambers and at the Civic Centre. Quite a number of these meetings have
revolved around objections to applications for subdivisions many
of which will not only erode the rural character of
“Urban
conservation thinking is increasingly looking at character, relationships
between landscapes and people, and cultural value and significance”, says
Melanie Attwell, heritage planner at the City of
·
Areas in Langa, Harfield Village, Claremont and
Newlands Village have been identified as ‘Special Areas’ Some sections of
Pinelands, rural remnants in Tygervalley and
Hout Bay (our italics) are also being assessed.
Source: City of
How are Urban Conservation (Heritage) Areas assessed?
Importance in the community or pattern of history; association with the
life or work of a person, group or organisation of importance in history; or
significance relating to the history of slavery
Exhibits particular aesthetic characteristics valued by a community or
cultural group
Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding
of natural or cultural heritage; demonstrates a high degree of creative or
technical achievement at a particular period
Association with a particular community or cultural group for social,
cultural or spiritual reasons
Possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of natural or cultural
heritage
Demonstrates the principal characteristics of a particular class of
natural or cultural places or objects
Source:
City of
Reparations
for Local Resident
RAHB has been working with a local resident in
Open Letter to Captain
van den Bergh
Dear Gerhard
I just want to commend you and say thank you on behalf of the
Residents' Association of Hout Bay and indeed many of the Community, for taking
the initiative in forming the Xenophobia Safety Forum. Without your leadership,
enthusiasm, dedication and drive,
Best regards
Len Swimmer
Chairman
Residents' Association of
SIGNAGE
… a feeding frenzy
The signage situation in
We discovered that a new business in
RAHB emphasizes the
fact that
We have appealed once again to the City “Please,
could the elimination of the unlawful signage in Hout Bay be treated with some
urgency before it degenerates further - it already is a ‘feeding frenzy, free
for all’, as one business sees the others getting away with breaking the law and
so is tempted to do the same; all trying to out-do the one next to them, to
beat their competitors”.
Please note the City
Of
B.3
Traffic Impact Assessment
B.4 Public
Participation
C.10.4 Traffic Impact Assessment
C.10.8.1Danger to Public
E30 Scenic
drive
E34 Accident
History
E36 Signs may
not be in Road Reserve
E41 70
meters clear between advertising sign and road regulatory sign
H57 Home
business signs may not project over boundary.
H57 Home
business signs may not exceed 0,2 meters square
H57 Home
business signs may not be illuminated
Schedule 2/3 May not encroach over boundary
line
INVASIVE
ALIEN CLEARING
AT
LONG KLOOF WEIR
For two weeks during May, Dr Justin O’ Riain employed
a team of people to remove the serious lantana infestation above the Longkloof Weir.
Justin said “My concern was that the river was in imminent danger of being
blocked by this explosive growth and with coming rains this might threaten the
integrity of the river course and the remaining Palmiet on the Northern side of
the river. I am passionate about that brave little palmiet stand!”
Whilst it is the City’s ultimate
responsibility, Justin frequently assists with the clearing of invasive alien
vegetation thereby easing the work load burden of the City’s staff responsible
for it.
Justin says “The area looks magnificent and I
have an agreement from the Cape Wetlands Trust to provide funds for follow up
clearing of re-growth”.
Ring barking Poplars
The project to ring bark the poplars continue
under Justin’s guidance. All the poplars on the west side of the
river up to the Retirement village have been done with one patch left for
comparative scientific purposes next to the riding centre.
The ring barking of the poplars near the old
landfill is still to be done but the water
table is presently too high and this will have to wait for summer.
GREAT
COFFEE!
The Friends of Hout Bay Library have opened a
small coffee shop at the Library. This
is ably run by Audrey and Bernadette of Imizamo Yethu. As 50% profit shareholders, Audrey and
Bernadette welcome you to join them for breakfast, or a coffee or tea and a
delicious sandwich or muffin. The shop
is open between 10am and 5pm every day and Saturday until 1pm. There is a heater and comfortable chairs to
make your experience cosy. Please
support this fantastic local initiative that is creating employment and also supporting
our local library.
IMIZAMO
YETHU DEVELOPMENT COMMENTS
For those who have registered as Interested and Affected parties with
Chand Environmental Consultants regarding the IY Development EIA. Please note that the deadline for submissions has been extended from 12 June to 30 June 2008.
RAHB WEBSITE
Visit our website
and stay informed about what the Residents Association of Hout Bay is doing.
www.houtbay.org.za
(R50 per couple, R30 per individual)
Forms from Chairperson or
Library. Association’s Banking Details:
FNB,
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
Chairperson,
Residents’ Assoc of
Tel:
790-0268, Email: lens@telkomsa.net