Community members were given the chance to voice their concerns about the proposed Modderfontein Township Development at a recent public participation meeting.
Held on October 13, the meeting saw 11 community members, which included representatives of the Illiondale Residents Association and Edenvale’s ward councillors Bill Rundle and Heather Hart, attend.
Described by Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart as a mini-gated community, the proposed development will be situated on portion 36 of the farm Modderfontein 35 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.
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In the draft scoping report compiled it states the development is aimed at erecting 478 (237.5m²) residential one stands, 449 (273m²) residential one stands and three residential three stands.
Per the Johannesburg Inclusionary Housing Policy of 2019, the development will include a minimum of 30 per cent of the total units for inclusionary housing.
In the presentation provided to residents by representatives of Cosmopolitan Projects, Ian Janse van Rensburg said the development would be upmarket and would not incorporate low-income housing.
He said, in theory, the estate would comprise three townships, each with their own entrance.
Although the News was informed by Hart that there were many community members against the project, those in attendance were not opposed to it.
Their biggest concern was how traffic, specifically on Laurie Road, would be affected.
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Janse van Rensburg told community members critical intersections were analysed in March to determine the traffic flow and what measures would need to be made to remedy the situation.
He highlighted that once allowed another analysis is expected to be done once Covid-19 regulations allow it.
Janse van Rensburg said three alterations are expected to be made to Laurie Road.
Firstly, at the Laurie Road and Modderfontein intersection additional lanes are expected to be added to Modderfontein Road, an additional slipway added and traffic lights reprogrammed.
Secondly, a traffic circle and the alteration of lanes are proposed to be constructed at the intersection of Margaret and Laurie roads.
Thirdly, an additional lane is proposed to be added to the Laurie and Aitken roads circle in addition to widening the entrances and exits of the traffic circle.
The upgrading of the roads is expected to cost R11.12-million.
When questioned whether an access road directly to Modderfontein Road was a possibility, Janse van Rensburg said at this stage it was not.
He said the northern boundary of the development was reserved for the PWV-3 road.
Janse van Rensburg said an impact assessment was done on Cecil Awret Road and it was determined that no traffic-calming measures would be needed, despite the fact that the three access points to the estate would be located on this road.
Janse van Rensburg said the development has incorporated the wetland in its design and hopes to maintain the servitude on the northern side of Cecil Awret Road to ensure there is no flooding.
“There will be attenuation on-site to ensure the possibility of flooding is minimised and prevented.”
When questioned how the estate would contribute to fighting crime in the area, Janse van Rensburg said the estate would have perimeter cameras along its walls and that the security company would patrol its perimeter.
Once started, the project is believed to take three years to complete.
Janse van Rensburg said if all goes according to plan development should start in August 2021.
“We focus on phase one first, which is the boundary wall of the development and the upgrading of external roads.
“Sometimes this can take us eight months, but we would like to achieve this in four months.”
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