A recent meeting of ward 81 residents, which also covers Alex, ended inconclusively when no decision was reached on a new housing development for the area.
The meeting which was also attended by the local Councillor Mokgadi Radebe and city of Joburg officials was held at the corner of Shakespeare and Victoria avenues in Lombardy East. It sought to get the community’s input on a new housing development which could also double as a strategy to curb uncontrolled dumping in the area.
Though a few community members were aware of the development, they unanimously expressed concern that the city had concluded the housing plan, set construction and completion timelines without acquiring input from the majority of the community. According to city officials, the housing scheme would have 512 units of two and three bedrooms in four story buildings, wouldn’t be of the RDP type and is scheduled for completion in one year.
Although keen for the development, the community’s concern was the lack of consultation which they said could have assisted council in developing a mutually agreeable plan.Their input could have ensured the development followed proper rezoning procedures, did not depreciate values of their own houses, wouldn’t encroach on their privacy, incorporated their social needs like schools, improved water, electricity and sewage reticulation and planned public transport facilities could be enforceable especially for taxis. They gave examples of a nearby housing scheme which they said was completed long ago but was depreciating as it still was vacant.
The officials from the Joburg Property Company said the housing scheme had been planned properly and was for occupation by tenants in two income brackets with 33% of it reserved for the 3500 to 7000 income earners and 67% for market related rentals. While they tried to assure that planning had considered rezoning regulations, proper management after completion would be done, traffic impact assessment had been done and consultations had been conducted with other city council units about electricity and water provision, residents still remained sceptical.
To save the project from an official objection, councillor Radebe urged council officials to review the plan to include the community’s views and reconvene at a later date to solicit for their affirmation. She said that the housing scheme was aligned with government’s social cohesion objective which intends to unite communities but the planning processes should be inclusive to promote unity and for the area not to loose out on a development which could enhance the financial and social value of the area.
Details: Councillor Mokgadi Radebe 083 478 7687.
What are your thoughts on this matter?
Tell us by posting on our timeline, Alex News or tweet us @AlexNewsZA
Add Alex News on BBM for the latest hard hitting news in your community. PIN: 29CA3017
