Cyrildene UDF a hot topic

The Urban Development Framework (UDF) for Cyrildene and Derick Avenue in particular has been the cause of much debate since it was first highlighted in 2013.

In 2013, the EXPRESS reported that a number of residents in the area felt that they were duped into thinking the precinct plan for the area was a way forward to address illegal activities taking place in Derrick Avenue and surrounding streets.

At the time residents agreed to the implementation of the precinct plan because they thought it would stop the spread of illegal activities such as buildings, businesses, parking, dumping and overcrowding.

But, after a public meeting with town planners to discuss the precinct plan on July 18, 2013 residents said they felt that council wanted to simply legalise illegal activities.

Residents were concerned that the precinct plan would lead to a high-density suburb.

Members of the Cyrildene Community Forum (CCF) had previously told officials that all illegal activities in the suburb needed to be addressed before development could take place.

The forum stated that the precinct plan that it wanted implemented was one which would immediately address the spread of illegal activities while current by-laws are adhered to.

Some of the most pressing concerns were the number of rooms or units property owners were building illegally and the number of people living on the properties.

The forum was also concerned that additional development in the area would have a negative impact on water, sewerage and electricity capacity in the area.

For the plan to be stopped residents needed to gather 51 percent of residents to object to the precinct plan.

In February 2014, Mr Bongani Nhleko, the then spokesperson for Councillor Roslyn Greef, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for development planning and urban management, responded to allegations of corruption made against officials.

Community members who had attended a public meeting expressed their anger at council for still not clamping down on those who disregard the by-laws.

At the time residents accused council members, including the MMC, of corruption.

Residents also stated council was unable to address the problems and officials were afraid to take action.

The residents also lashed out at the then councillor, Alison van der Molen for her apparent lack of feedback and commitment to her job.

She then told residents that it was difficult for her to give residents feedback when she did not receive responses from council officials.

In his comment to residents, Mr Nhleko said council was in the process of establishing a new prosecution process to address contraventions.

“Cyrildene was identified as a hot spot area which requires special interventions. The intervention starts with the formulation of a precinct plan to address the socio-economic needs of the community,” Mr Nhleko said.

At the time the department was concluding the UDF to outline the development trajectory of Cyrildene, including a solution to the accommodation challenges in the area.

“The framework will attract investment in the area and will encourage redevelopment of the area as a whole,” Mr Nhleko said.