Cyrildene residents expressed a lack of interest in Cyrildene’s final precinct plan presented at a public meeting on March 14.
Also read: Cyrildene residents object to UDF draft proposal
Residents instead expressed concerns about service delivery in the area.
City of Joburg urban planner Stefan van Niekerk conducted a presentation to explain to residents that the precinct plan was final and that no further changes will be made.
The aim of the meeting was to give feedback to the residents on the progress of the Cyrildene precinct plan and the next step going forward.
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Officials from different departments were invited to be part of the meeting to give feedback on the issues that were raised by residents at previous meetings.
These concerns included overcrowding, noise pollution, dumping, unhygienic conditions, insufficient services, parking shortages, rezoning, illegal buildings and urban management.
DA whip of development planning Clr Annette Deppe offered officials the opportunity to report what has been addressed so far following previous meetings.
JMPD reported that the department addressed windscreen washers, illegal hawkers, displaced persons and containers on pavements.
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They also reported that Derrick Avenue had a number of business break-ins near a vacant building but that the property has been secured since.
Residents expressed their frustrations about the lack of service delivery such as grass-cutting, by-law enforcement and the deterioration of the area.
Residents questioned how the precinct plan will improve the area.
Other concerns expressed were the high densification the precinct plan will bring to the area and how the plan will affect the heritage of the area.
Previously reported
The EXPRESS reported in July 2016 that property owners joined a petition objecting to the draft proposal of the Cyrildene Urban Development Framework (UDF).
Residents then expressed their concerns about the final public participation meeting regarding the UDF which was held on July 19, 2016.
The meeting was held to address the residents’ main concerns such as crime, overcrowding and parking and to make proposals for the future development and urban management of the area.
In that meeting property owners felt that the communities affected were not being advised or consulted adequately.
They called for the process to be halted pending a review, as more transparent discussion needed to be held involving all these owners simultaneously and not a separate meeting platform.
At last week’s meeting Ward 118 Clr Neuren Pietersen noted the questions and concerns raised by residents. Deppe said they will respond to them.
