Confusion and concerns over reports tabled to a Municipality committee for infrastructure development, led to a decision being made to form a town planning forum to discuss the issues further.
The two applications that were thought to require closer examination were: firstly, an application from Beer properties to rezone the Kwik Spar area in order to upgrade the supermarket into a Super Spar, as well as to extend parking to accommodate delivery trucks; and, secondly, Councillor Pierre Ranchhod's application to purchase municipal land in Cobden Street, so as to extend a portion of land he already owns to build a loft apartment.
Confusion and concerns over reports tabled to a Municipality committee for infrastructure development, led to a decision being made to form a town planning forum to discuss the issues further.
The two applications that were thought to require closer examination were: firstly, an application from Beer properties to rezone the Kwik Spar area in order to upgrade the supermarket into a Super Spar, as well as to extend parking to accommodate delivery trucks; and, secondly, Councillor Pierre Ranchhod's application to purchase municipal land in Cobden Street, so as to extend a portion of land he already owns to build a loft apartment.
In the first instance, the application documents from Beer properties were circulated to all Muncipality internal departments and it was recommended that the committee approve the application on a number of conditions. However, approval was stalled due to an objection by the traffic department, whose report read: “The traffic services does not support this application, as approval may cause dangerous traffic congestion in African and Milner Streets."
Councillor Brian Fargher's felt that “if one of our departments object to this, I don’t understand why we would approve this.” However, Deputy Director of Planning and Land Usage, Renier van der Merwe said that when they receive applications, they are obliged to give the report to the different departments and that the final decision is informed by the spacial development framework. He added that the traffic office needs to support their comments based on an actual traffic assessment.
In the case of Ranchhod's application to purchase municipal ground, internal departments did not recommend that the committee support the application. Town Planning argued that Cobden Street forms part of an open space system and that they do not support closure of open space. "This is considered undesirable from a town planning point of view," they stated. Two other departments, Parks and Recreation and Fire and Rescue also briefly stated that the application is not supported.
Despite this, Councillor Mthuthuzeli Matyumza proposed the application be approved and he was seconded by Councillor Nomhle Ngoqo. Matyumza said that he is aware that there were houses in that area a long time ago.
As the discussion turned towards the need for open spaces, there was some disagreement on how to move forward on the issue and some pointed out that the spatial development plan would need to be changed in order to support the application.
Technical Services Director, Dabula Njilo proposed that the item be deferred so that the departments can further comment on their recommendations.
The committee chairperson, Nomhle Gaga, concluded with their agreement that the councillors should meet before the mayoral committee (which is the second highest decision-making body next to the council) in a town planning forum to discuss these and any other town planning concerns.
