Worship centre concerns unfounded
CONCERNS over a proposed worship centre at the corner of 11th Street and Lilian Ave, Parkmore are unfounded according to Mario Di Cicco, the project's facilitator and town planner.
He said noise and traffic congestion were not concerns as the centre would be used by two buddhist monks for meditation classes, with no more than 20 to 30 people on the premises at a time. Parking was already available on the property.
He said the centre would be within an existing single-storey structure originally intended for office use. “Council has already approved the rezoning of the property for business purposes,” said Di Cicco. “For the worship centre, the property owner made an application to council for consent use and this application is available for inspection by residents, who have the right to comment and object to it.”
A notice notifying residents about the application was issued to residents in the area. The notice, issued on 31 July this year, stated that the application would 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).
Di Cicco said following public participation, there would be a hearing in which city council would consider residents’ input, and would either give the go ahead for the centre to open, or not. “If there is a positive outcome, it will be around eight months before the centre opens its doors,” he said.
Ward 90 councillor Gordon Mackay said the developers had gone through the correct legal channels in applying for rights for the centre to be opened. But residents had the right to object and respond to the notice. He said the onus was then on city council to make a ruling.
Details: mariodc.projects@gmail.com
