Lack of feedback from CoE hinders councillors – Hart

Lack of communication from the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) city planning department’s tribunal officials has raised concerns for shadow MMC for town planning Heather Hart.

Hart, the Ward 18 councillor, said in some instances she and other ward councillors have received no feedback about objections of proposed developments from the CoE’s city planning department.

“The only way we are notified a matter has gone to tribunal is when we receive the tribunal schedule,” said Hart. “It would appear that the city planning department no longer sees fit to provide the tribunal schedule to councillors.”

Hart explained that in each town there are areas zoned for certain property use.

“In terms of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act all municipalities need a Municipal Spatial Development Framework which determines various uses of the land in a town.”

Although these areas are identified before a town is established, they do change, to some degree, as the town develops.

“In an area, provisions are made for development outside the existing zoning.”

An example of this would be properties in Edenvale Avenues, all of which were originally residential one property.

“Through the application process, a residential one property owner can densify the property to residential three to allow for the construction of townhouses.”

Hart explained as a town develops and densifies, there may be a greater need for certain services such as early childhood development centres, certain roads become transit routes and the CBD expands with economic growth. She said depending on how property owners hope to develop their property will determine which application must be completed to rezone the property or whether only a special consent application is needed.

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“Residential one property along busy roads such as Seventeenth Avenue, Third and Fourth streets can also apply to rezone as business properties as they are no longer conducive for residential use.”

Hart said property owners applying for property rezoning to a business property may be limited to a certain type of business.

“Once a property’s zoning has changed from residential one to business, the property will be limited to business, which won’t increase volumes of traffic and other requirements.”

She said the most common types of businesses for these properties include financial and personal services, like the businesses located on Linksfield Road.

“In all cases, all applications are open to public participation to allow neighbouring property owners and the broader community the opportunity to comment on the proposed development,” said Hart.

However, Hart emphasised the lack of communication from CoE has made communicating with objectors more difficult.

“We have no way of knowing when matters are going to be heard by the tribunal and no way of informing the objectors.”

Hart said because residents and the community are reliant on ward councillors, it’s important they have as much information about proposed developments.

“The lack of communication infringes on mine and the duties of other ward councillors to serve our communities.”

A request for comment was sent to CoE on May 6 requesting comment by May 10 a 9.30am. This is a developing story and comment will be added once received.

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