Botha’s Hill businesses face demolition
Residents who are opposing the construction of a new storage facility have two weeks to submit their objections.
BUSINESSES situated at the intersection of Old Main Road and Kassier Road in Botha’s Hill could soon be demolished and replaced with a storage warehouse if the company receives the green light for their proposal.
However, residents have since been given the opportunity to submit their objections for the rezoning proposal after a notification was published by the company, Stor-Age, in the media last week. Speaking about the effect this could have on the area if the plans to build the company are approved, concerned resident, Wendy Brown, said, “We heard about the proposed construction two weeks ago and we were notified about the objection process when we read the notice in the press. We are objecting to this building because this will bring a large corporate building into a residential area, for which no proof exists as to its viability and adding of value to the area.
“This would over-commercialise a residential area with a building which has limited use. If the venture becomes unviable, its conversion to another use is going to be a problem because of the limitations of sewerage disposal, limited parking in proportion to the size of the proposed building, the destruction of the habitat of the rare and endangered dwarf black headed chameleon, existing small scale business and those they employ and scale of the building on the doorstep of residential properties, whose owners bought homes in the area to experience the country-type feel and openness that the area provides.
“Waterfall Industrial Park, situated approximately 8km away, already has facilities and infrastructure that could be used. Residents need to speak up now and add their voice to this proposed development or bear the consequences later.”
Gordon Morris, manager at Need-a-Tool, one of the businesses that will be affected by the new building, said, “We have been at this premises for the past eight years. We are definitely not happy as they are going to demolish this building and we don’t have any plans yet about the next location for our business. We know that the residents in this area will also not be happy with this storage warehouse.”
Residents who would like to submit their objections for the proposed 10 000m² building can do so at the Hillcrest Municipality offices, situated in Delamore Road, by 24 August.
Response from Stor-Age: Speaking on behalf of Stor-Age Self Storage, Brandon Joscelyne said, “We are not surprised by the issues raised by the residents in the area as we have encountered similar concerns before.
“We believe these concerns stem from a lack of understanding of what a modern-day, high-tech, multi-level self-storage facility is. It is understandable, as historically self-storage facilities have been relegated to outlying industrial or agricultural areas which only warranted rudimentary construction techniques and very little capital input. Aesthetically these facilities can be dressed up to suit the general surrounds and, for all intents and purposes, could resemble anything from an office building to a retail store.
“In terms of the impact on infrastructure, self-storage facilities are one of the lowest, if not the lowest-impacting infrastructure with respect to electricity and water usage and traffic generation. Given the location of the site at the corner of Old Main and Kassier Roads, traffic is always a major consideration.
“With any other development at this location, whether residential, office or retail, there would be a significant impact in terms of traffic; however, self-storage use allows for the site to be developed to its full potential without creating a negative impact with regards to traffic generation, which means there is now something substantial situated on the corner as opposed to a few buildings.
“In any node which experiences gentrification, there will be businesses which will need to relocate where they can be more suitably accommodated, both from a location and rental perspective. This site will be no different, but I assure you that there will be a far more superior product at this location.
“We are excited about the Hillcrest facility and believe this will be one of our flagship stores, and I am sure that when the facility is up and trading the residents of Hillcrest will be more than satisfied, if not proud, of the development at the corner of Old Main and Kassier Roads.”
