Proposed worship centre raises concern

A notice was recently issued to residents in the area, giving them the right to respond, before council gives a ruling on whether development on the new centre can commence.

John Fourie, who has lived in the area for three years, said he was concerned about the proposed development.

He queried whether a traffic impact study had been done before the property owner had issued the notice, as the proposed centre premises appeared to have no available parking and was next door to a school.

He further stated it appeared the property owner was using ‘back roads’ to implement his plans, to avoid hassle from the public.

“I am not sure who else received the notice and who else is as concerned as I am.”

This is not the first time a worship centre has raised concerns from residents in the area.

Residents recently expressed their gripes about the expansion of the Gurudwara Sahib of Johannesburg, in the same vicinity.

Ward 90 councillor Gordon Mackay said the developers had followed the law in issuing the notice.

Still, residents had the right to object and respond to the notice. He said the onus was then on council to make a ruling, based on the area’s bylaws and regulations.

“If council proves the centre has a legal right to be there, development will go ahead.”

The notice, issued from 31 July this year, states that the centre will be a place of meditation.

It says the application will be open for inspection at the information counter, 8th floor, Metropolitan Centre, 158 Loveday Street, Braamfontein and that any objections or representations with regard to the application could be submitted in writing to both the City of Johannesburg and the applicant within a period of 28 days from the first day advertised (29 August 2013).

The applicant’s address was given as Mario Di Cicco, P O Box 28741, Kensington, 2101.

The Chronicle has not yet received comment from the project facilitator, whose cellphone voicemail said he was on leave at the time of going to press.