A public participation meeting was held at the Edenvale Chambers in response to City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) gazetting a land use scheme and development incentive policy.
On October 30 the draft version of CoE Land Use Scheme (CELUS) and Development Incentive Policy were gazetted in the Provincial Gazette.
The meeting was held on November 19 to inform community members of changes which, if approved, could affect residential areas and the 3.5 million residents of the CoE.
If passed, it could see businesses built in areas like Edenvale zoned as residential.
The meeting saw community members and stakeholders from Edenvale, Germiston and Kempton Park attend.
With almost all of the seats in the chamber filled, it was one of the most well-attended public participation meetings the NEWS has attended in recent months.
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Although the scheme and policy were gazetted together, the meeting focused primarily on CELUS.
The purpose of the scheme is to:
- Promote economic growth.
- Promote social inclusion.
- Promote efficient land development.
- Minimise impact on health, the environment and natural resources.
Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart, who emphasised the meeting was non-political, said the draft scheme did not differ greatly from the Ekurhuleni Town Planning Scheme (ETOPS) of 2014.
She identified three differences between CELUS and ETOPS.
The first was that the scheme would allow residents of informal settlements (residential two) to establish their own businesses after applying and receiving written consent. Examples of businesses which could be started are childcare centres, a tavern, a spaza or tuck shop.
The second difference was that the scheme identified centrally located areas in towns like the CBD which will become hubs of development.
“As a councillor, I am 100 per cent in favour of these two changes,” said Hart.
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The third distinction is that if passed the scheme will allow for the application for home enterprises, such as childcare centres, communes and guest houses to be established in areas zoned as residential one areas (suburban areas) like Edenvale.
“With written consent from CoE, businesses such as spaza (tuck) shops or taverns could be established in an area zoned as residential one.”
Hart and Ward 19 Clr Bill Rundle identified the establishment of spaza shops or tavern as a concern.
Hart said if a property owner applies to open a business like a tavern, only the immediately affected neighbours will be notified.
Rundle explained to prevent the establishment of a business which needs written consent, objections need to be sent to the CoE.
“If there are objections, the matter will go to a tribunal which will make a ruling on the matter,” said Rundle.
He informed community members that tribunal rulings could be appealed.
“Unless there are valid reasons or objections, it is likely the business will be permitted,” said Hart.
She told community members in attendance that the devaluation of property did not count as a valid objection and that they should focus on objections such as the attraction of criminal activities or noise levels.
“Suburbs are places of residence, commercial activities should occur in CBDs, specially zoned areas or on high activity routes,” said Hart.
She said businesses which could potentially disturb the community should not be in areas where residents seek peace, quiet and safety.
Rundle said the scheme has a one-size-fits-all approach to all towns in the metro area.
“We understand the plight of the unemployed and are empathetic to unemployed people trying to support their families.
“There are other towns which need this scheme more than Edenvale. It should be developed to cater to certain towns.
“To try to prevent the implementation of the scheme, I appeal to the community to send as many individual submissions containing, comments, concerns and objections to the CoE,” said Hart.
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The CELUS and policy will be available for inspection during normal office hours at CoE Customer Care Centres (CCC).
Edenvale’s CCC is located on the corner of Van Riebeeck Avenue and Hendrik Potgieter Street.
Alternatively, copies can be obtained from www.ekurhuleni.gov.za
Concerns, comments and objections must be sent to Sibongile.Nkosi@ekurhuleni.gov.za
Community members are encouraged to copy Hart in their emails to the CoE, Heather.hart@ekurhuleni.gov.za
Closing date for submissions is November 30.
When the NEWS spoke to Hart on November 20, she said 85 signatures had been obtained for a petition opposing the scheme.
Residents can also email Hart for more information about the online petition.
Community members have until November 30 to comment on the draft versions of City of Ekurhuleni’s Land Use Scheme (CELUS) and CoE Development Incentive Policy.
The scheme and policy were gazetted on October 30 in the Provincial Gazette.
Members of the public, affected departments and organs of state in the three spheres of government and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the process of drafting the scheme and policy in terms of the Ekurhuleni Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-law, 2019.
If approved, the scheme will apply to the entire CoE region and bind anyone residing, occupying land/property, property/business owners and any person responsible for any land use activity within Ekurhuleni, including the state, to the scheme.
The scheme hopes to replace the Ekurhuleni Town Planning Scheme, 2014.
It will potentially introduce several new procedures and processes intended to promote economic development, attract investment and represent a more inclusive and integrated approach to the regulation and enforcement of land use in the city.
The incentive policy’s objective is to assist CoE to become the choice destination for investment through a combination of incentives.
The incentives hope to promote investment inflows through measures that:
- Enhance the image of the municipality in the view of potential and committed investors.
- Provide information on investment opportunities to potential investors.
- Offer location incentives.
- Facilitate investment through institutional and administrative improvement.
- Render post-investment support services.
If approved, the policy will reduce obstacles to investment, foster an investor-friendly environment, reduce application processes and lower costs and risks for investors.
The CELUS and policy will be available for inspection during normal office hours at CoE Customer Care Centres (CCC).
Edenvale’s CCC is located on the corner of Van Riebeeck Avenue and Hendrik Potgieter Street.
Alternatively, copies can be obtained from www.ekurhuleni.gov.za
Concerns, comments and objections must be sent to Sibongile.Nkosi@ekurhuleni.gov.za
Community members are encouraged to cc Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart in their emails to the CoE.
Hart’s email address is Heather.hart@ekurhuleni.gov.za
*Information obtained from CoE website.
