Councillor’s Corner: From homes to businesses?
JOBURG – Residents can contact the relevant departments to enquire about the zoning of a certain property or they can speak to their councillors who will advise them.
This week, Margaret Hansjee from Northcliff asked:
My neighbour has opened a business on their residential property in Rockcliff Drive in Northcliff.
Their customers often park on my driveway.
Is there anything i can do about this? I have spoken to their security guard. I have not had a reply from the owners.
Also, we were not informed that a business was opening up next door to our home.
Ward 86 councillor, Philip Kruger answered:
Different types of land use need to be on land zoned for that particular type of use, for example, you cannot have an industrial business in a piece of land zoned for residential use surrounded by other residential properties.
For the rezoning of a property, the type of surrounding properties, future development of that area, the need for densification and so forth will be considered by the Land Use department.
If a resident wants to rezone their residential property so that they can conduct a certain type of business off it, they will need to apply for rezoning. Once rezoning has been approved, which can take several months, then the land can be used for the type of zoning applied for.
If a property owner is found to be using the land for any other purpose than what it is zoned for, the City may institute various measures to motivate the owner to either apply for rezoning or to cease the unsuitable business or industry on that property.
These include penalty rates, fines and legal action by the city. Residents can ask Metro police to visit the property and issue warnings and fines to vehicles parked illegally.
Adequate parking has to be provided by the business owner. Residents can contact the relevant departments to enquire about the zoning of a certain property or they can speak to their councillors who will advise them.
Do you have a question for a ward councillor?
As a local newspaper, the Randburg Sun provides a platform for residents to learn about, understand and follow local government.
As an extension of that, there is a weekly column called Councillor’s Corner which is a platform for our readers to voice their concerns or questions for ward councillors to respond to.
Different and willing ward councillors will respond to one question each week.
E-mail your burning questions to aimeed@caxton.co.za and let’s get the ball rolling.
