Combined estates proposal falls flat – Salt Rock

A proposal to incorporate a part of the Mount Richmore estate into Simbithi Eco Estate has created a deep division among Simbithi residents.

A group of investors recently made a bid to buy Mount Richmore Centre from owner Frikkie Lutzkie.

Their proposed plans for the fifth phase of their development are that a frail care facility and hospital in addition to the current Salt Rock City shopping centre and Curro Mount Richmore school, be incorporated into Simbithi where residents would have shared access to the amenities that both estates have to offer.

However, at a meeting of Simbithi residents last week, some were totally against the idea saying the expansion would decrease their property value, while 427 people – which accounts for 71 percent of the estate – were for it.

An hour before the vote, 300 proxy votes were handed to the chairman and the proposal was rejected by 20 votes.

A 75 percent vote was needed for the special resolution but the proposers only managed 71.4 percent.

The investors declined to comment at this stage, saying the situation was complex.

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However, they indicated that they would rework the proposal and place it before the residents in the near future.

The board of directors of the Simbithi Eco Estate Home Owners Association said the board had supported the proposal.

“Simbithi Eco Estate was approached by a development consortium to consider the opportunity of incorporating a tract of land, bordering its northern boundary. The opportunity was met with support from the Simbithi Board but required a special resolution from the resident community in order to proceed.

“The resident body was asked to vote on the matter, at a general meeting, held on Saturday, February 16. The motion did not carry by a narrow margin.”

Current Mount Richmore owner Lutsky confirmed that an offer had been made, but the sale was not yet final.

He said that additional offers were on the table.

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