New precinct plan for Cyrildene

Brian Mchunu

The tug of war between the community and the municipality rages on about the Cyrildene Precinct Plan.

The community claims the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) is trying to legitimise illegal buildings in the area.

According to the CoJ, the plan will address the conflicting land use needs in the area while promoting a sustainable development approach.

The CoJ said the planning process was started in 2012 and the community was alerted to it in January 2013, through a public meeting that was held at Queens High School.

A resident in the area, Mr Rob Crawford, said the residents’ concerns about the new precinct plan included the fact that buildings were built without following the proper procedures and the lack of communication from city officials when dealing with the matter.

“People apply to build three-storey premises in residential areas but then they build four-storey buildings instead,” said Mr Crawford.

“Others have built on top of the boundary walls. Some have built back rooms that are not in line with the bylaws. These rooms are rented out to families. This is putting a strain on the infrastructure like sewerage lines, water and electricity.

“There are a number of businesses in the suburb that were built this way. They do not have parking lots for their customers and as a result, they park on the road.

“Looking at the way the city has been dealing with these illegal activities, it is clear it will bring about diversions to legalise these illegal developments,” said Mr Crawford.

He called for tougher actions on those who have been found in contravention of the bylaws.

The city’s executive director for development planning, Ms Yondela Silimela, said the plan was the city’s response to the increasing need to provide residential accommodation throughout the city.

“The plan addresses the increasing need for different typologies of residential developments in the area and also provides development guidelines for other land uses within the area.

“The plan also assesses and recommends interventions that are needed in the area to address the various issues raised by residents during the public participation process,” she said.

Ms Silimela said the plan will address the concerns related to town planning and the law enforcement contraventions currently occurring in the area.

“The aim of the plan is to provide guidelines for the development of the study of the area, including land use guidelines, parking provision and pedestrian linkages, to promote a consistent urban development policy approach for effective urban development.

“The precinct plan further attempts to guide development, strategies and the actions of all stakeholders in the urban development process,” she said.

Subsections

Ms Silimela said the plan divided the area into four subsections.

“The plan provides that around Derrick Avenue, between Friedland and Marcia Street, there will be vertical mixed use and or business, 100 dwelling units per hector (du/ha) with four storey buildings.

“Within the precinct plan area, a residential area with 60du/ha with three storey buildings. Properties adjacent to Erven on Derrick Avenue, on the eastern side, is residential area with 60du/ha with four storey buildings. On Friedland Avenue and Marcia Street, it is a residential area with 30 to 50 du/ha with three storey buildings,” she said.

Ms Silimela said the plan is intended to accommodate the current residential demand without compromising the already residential character of the area.

“A thorough consultative process was followed with our utility departments to assess the appropriateness of our proposals. The precinct area is a small part of the suburb, however the approval of the plan will ensure that interventions to improve infrastructure in the area are undertaken to ensure that there is adequate and sustainable infrastructure in the area to not only sustain the precinct plan proposal, but also future developments in the area,” she said.

She added that the plan is going through the council processes.

“The consultation processes are done. The plan is now going through the council processes before its final approval. The issues raised by the residents during the public participation processes are incorporated in the plan. Those found to be in contravention with the bylaws will be dealt with accordingly. If we have to consult the courts to force people to abide the bylaws, we will,” she said.

She said a copy of the plan can be found at the department’s offices on the 10th Floor, 168 Civin Drive, Metro Centre, Braamfontein.