Rezoning application might cause nightmares

Ward 98 Councillor Laurette van Zijl is concerned about the potential effect that a rezoning application for high density in Berg Street, Randpark might cause in her areas.

Van Zijl informed that there is a worrying trend in the area, and especially in Randpark and Windsor Glen for owners to illegally convert their garages and other outbuildings into residential units without building permission – and the rezoning application is the first to legalise such conversions.

“If this tendency goes ahead we are going to get residential suburbs that are cluttered with little rooms and buildings,” she said.

“As it is, there are no multi-unit properties in the immediate vicinity and the approval of this application could pave the way for the approval of converting garages and other outbuildings into rental units in future.”

She also highlighted that these proposed units are very small one-bedroom units and as such cannot accommodate families. The targeted suburbs consist primarily of family homes and is in easy reach of primary and high schools. As the proposed development as well as all the other illegally converted garages and outbuildings are not suitable for families, they will as such not fit in with the ambiance of the area. The City’s Spatial Planning Directives are firm that any development must fit in with the local ambiance.

She also said during her investigations, the property owners blatantly stated that they are adding more rooms because they would like to pay their bond.

Another thing that she said concerns her is the application for the removal of certain title deeds conditions.

“The removal of title deeds conditions is also worrying, especially the ones prohibiting the use of certain building materials and the requirement of a 6m building line on the street front,” she said.

Van Zijl said the forbidden building materials referred to are zinc and tin.

If this title deed condition is removed, it will also happen with other applications, and allow for units similar to back-yard shacks to be built in the suburb in future, Van Zijl said.

The building line restriction is to prevent the properties from being built right up to the garden wall, giving the area a cluttered look and feel.

Local resident from Randpark, Derrick Llyod also complained about a neighbour that extended his house without asking for permission from his neighbours.

“I am selling my house and now when people come to view the house, they ask a lot of questions”, said Lloyd.

Van Zijl said Lloyd and his neighbours have been in constant touch with the building inspectorate for the past two years but the residents ignore all orders issued by the building inspectors. “The matter has been escalated by the City but due to the very slow and complicated process no action has been taken against the owner,” she said.

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