Rezoning applications raise concerns

THE rezoning of two Berea properties has raised some concerns for neighbouring residents who fear that other residents may not be aware of the plans to rezone the properties or that the objection period are open until mid-July.

The first property is the former synagogue in Stephen Dlamini Road, which has been earmarked for the development of a teachers’ training college.

A residence at number 257 Florida Road is the second property, which will be rezoned for a commercial property.

The plans for rezoning at the synagogue site was brought to the attention of Berea Mail by a concerned resident, who said he was surprised that the signs notifying residents of plans to rezone were posted at the back of the property in Bellevue Road.

“I was shocked to see the signs in Bellevue Road, and not in the front of the property. They are also not very visible, and I wouldn’t have seen them if I hadn’t been walking by,” he said.

The resident said he was concerned that the intended college would have a huge impact on the parking in the road, which he said was already ‘chock-a-block’ in the morning.

“There are already two schools in the road, and I have also heard that the college will be large, including underground parking. It’s a real worry for me. If it is passed, I hope it is run properly, otherwise I will be carrying my furniture out of my house on my head to get away,” he said.

According to Eddie Taute, director of Hunter Theron Town and Regional Planners, the client, CURRO, is re-purposing the existing building for a college that will train school teachers, thus the need to rezone the property from “Place of Worship” to “Educational 2”. The site extends from Stephen Dlamini Road to Bellevue Road.

“In terms of the applicable legislation the plans for rezoning was advertised in the Mercury in English and in the Isolezwe in Zulu on 17 June. Furthermore, registered letters have been sent to all surrounding land owners as provided by the eThekwini Municipality. Site notices in English and Zulu including a zoning plan were placed in the most appropriate and conspicuous places on all street frontages on 17 June,” he said.

The plans to rezone the property in Florida Road was raised on a local security WhatsApp group, where concerns were raised about the plans to rezone the property to commercial. A person was worried another nightclub would be opened in the road.

In correspondence with a resident, a representative from SiVest, which is acting on behalf of the current owner, said the intention was to use the property for a coffee shop, restaurant or bakery. The representative further stated that the property had been used as an office for many years, and the current owner wanted to align the zoning with the municipality’s and the use intentions for Florida Road.

Ward councillor Martin Meyer, said: “The zoning allows for a coffee shop and restaurant. While I welcome new business to the area, and we’ve seen a few great new restaurants open on Florida Road, the concern is always that a few business owners on the road ignore the requirements and act as de facto clubs. The main problem is thus not the zoning of a restaurant on Florida Road but the enforcement of the bylaws, zoning rules and business licence requirements.”

A copy of the applications and accompanying documents of the two sites are open for inspection by the public between 8am and 12.30pm Mondays to Fridays at the offices of the Land Use Management Branch. For either site, residents can lodge written comments by hand with the Regional Co-ordinator of the Central Region, Land Use Management Branch, ground floor, 166 KE Masinga Road, Durban, by registered post to PO Box 680, Durban, 4000, by fax to 031 311 7859.

To comment via email on the Stephen Dlamini site, email sudesh.naicker@durban.gov.za by 18 July. For the Florida Road rezoning, email: Ntokozo.mchunu@durvan.gov.za by 19 July.