The decision was met with joy by both ward councillor Tim Truluck and the suburb’s residents association chairperson Lee-Ann Louverdis.
City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane explained, “From Land Use Development Management, there is no moratorium in that people cannot submit applications for re-development in the area. The policy, however, was amended to exclude any further restaurant rights in the area, mainly due to the lack of parking space.”
According to Truluck, the city council had made a change to the area’s Regional Spatial Development Framework in 2007.
He said the framework excluded any further restaurants on the popular street, but the “mysterious” 2007 change suddenly allowed for more restaurants. Two restaurants opened in the following years.
“I am relieved to finally get confirmation that the change… has been rectified. Over the past two years, I have had several meetings with business people who wanted to open a restaurant on 7th Avenue. They had gone to considerable expense in purchasing properties and hiring town planners, only to find out that they were not allowed to open a new restaurant. So the city council has applied the original ‘no restaurant’ requirement for some time,” he said.
Louverdis said she was glad to hear about the department’s decision.
“The possibility of more restaurants on 7th Avenue was a worry because of the traffic and parking issues. I’m sure our residents are happy with this, and we look forward to working closely with the restaurants already there, as they are a part of our community,” she said.
Steve Maresh, a resident and owner of The Local Grill, also welcomed the decision.
“The road is a main route, and it can’t carry more traffic, so I think it’s a good decision. I applied for a property to be re-zoned as a restaurant a little while ago, and was told it wouldn’t be allowed, so I’ve been through that. Ultimately I do think it’s a positive thing,” he said.
-
-
-
-
