Development on Kent Avenue in Ferndale receives over 60 objections, still goes ahead
Property developers claim objections written about 232 on Kent since 2020 were never passed on to them.
More than 60 Ferndale residents have signed objection letters to try to stop a complex from being built on Kent Avenue.
They feel the infrastucture in the area is already insufficient and will not cope with more people; there are not enough amenities and no schools within 2km of the complex as required by the nodal plan.
These residents have been writing objection letters since 2020, though it appears these were never passed down the line, as the developers and town planners say they were never received.
The development, 232 on Kent, is being constructed by DVR Property Development.
“We found out they wanted to change from zone 2 to 3 so there would be a maximum of 40 units, and there was no municipal planning tribunal hearing for all our objections, which was unusual,” said the leader of the Ferndale Ridge Residents Group, Pierre van Wyk, who met the Randburg Sun with some residents.
Laurette van Zijl, herself a former ward councillor in Ward 98 nearby, filed an objection letter in her personal capacity in 2020, and collected signatures across the suburb.
“I couldn’t submit the objections in person because the town planning office was closed on the day, so I emailed them, still on time,” she said.
“They later came back saying they never received that email – even though everyone else I CCd did receive it, and the address was correct.”
There are already power surges in the area because demand is reaching supply capacity, and sewerage bursts are common, residents said.
“Traffic in the area is a nightmare and Kent Avenue itself is always busy. More people and vehicles will not help,” said Avril Wright.
She and her husband Malcolm said they have lived in the area for years and developments like this one have only been a drain on service delivery.
Kirsten Zwinscher agreed.
“The problem is not densification. If residents could see developments like this springing up but also giving back – helping with roads and our water and sewerage infrastructure – there would be no problem,” she said.
Another resident, Deanne van Wyk, said that for town planners and the developing company to ignore their emails was unacceptable.
a development were not passed on to developers and town planners. Photo: Nicholas Zaal
The Town Planners’ response to objections and allegations
DVR Property Developments owner Cornel Claassen did not wish to speak to the media and asked Breda Lombard Town Planners to answer questions on his company’s behalf.
Breda Lombard said when Randburg Sun forwarded the 2020 objection letter to them in March, this was the first time they had been informed of any objections, and so could comment on them.
However, he said due processes were followed by the authorised agent, with special reference to obtaining approvals from the Municipal Managed Entities in respect of:
- Electricity bulk supply and installation
- Storm water management and discharge
- Sewer and water reports
- Traffic assessment.
Lombard said all these were approved by various departments within the municipality.
“We believe that the authorising process and decision-making powers lie with the authorities and not with us or our client, and cannot be influenced,” Lombard said.
“A large part of Ferndale is earmarked for significant residential densification and a mix of non-residential land uses. The townhouse development is in terms of the policy herein explained.”
The height is restricted to two storeys, with only two units located on the third floor.
The site had been vacant for several years.
“We believe the development will eliminate potential urban decay and the unauthorised occupation of a vacant stand.”
He added that they were obliged to advertise, publish and make available the application for the rezoning.
“The general maintenance of the services – in regard to normal infrastructure – does not fall within our client’s control. The balance of the questions is in our opinion, the opinion of various individuals, and we are unable to comment thereon as the council is in our opinion obligated to consider the general well-being of all areas under this control, and our client is unable to comment thereon and only in a position to work within the framework.”
Questions were sent to City of Johannesburg spokesperson Dudu Lushaba on April 3 regarding whether the objections had ever been presented to the town planners and if not, why not, if it is too late for a municipal planning tribunal hearing and what residents can do now the rezoning is completed and construction has commenced.
Lushaba was not immediately available to comment, but her comments will be published when they are made.
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