Nora and the JHF put forward their reasons for objecting to the proposed rezoning of a local property
NORWOOD – The property being adorned with rich heritage significance was one of the reasons for the objections.
Norwood residents have expressed their objections at the rezoning of a property on 92 Osborne Road, in the same suburb.
In support of the application, Steve Jaspan and Associates (SJA) Town and Regional Planners who made the submission stated that the application was made in terms of Section 21 of the Johannesburg Municipal Planning By-Law, 2016, to rezone the property from residential 1 to Residential 3 at a density of 70 dwelling units per hectare (permitting nine dwelling units on the site) subject to conditions.
The applicants added that the site is located at an optimum position (relative to both surrounding land usage and the existing public transport system) to accommodate a residential 3 rezoning and ideally suited thereto. They added that this would provide access to affordable housing in the area.
The application also stated that the proposed density is in terms of the Spatial Development Framework (SDF) 2040, which policy allows for a density of at least 60 dwelling units per hectare (duh).
Objections:
Committee member of the Norwood Oaklands Residents Association (Nora), Brendan Lombard penned an objection to the City Council on behalf of the association. He stated that Nora objected for two reasons. The first reason is that the proposal is not consistent with the Grant Avenue Precinct Plan formulated in 2016. The plan provides a framework for land use in Grant Avenue and in Norwood. Among its recommendations was to allow densification for residential purposes in the vicinity of Grant Avenue, with maximum densities along Grant Avenue of up to 70 duh, and then declining to 20 duh to the west of Grant Avenue in Norwood
“If the proposed rezoning were to be allowed, it would be in contradiction to the plan, and would create a density in the quietest part of residential Norwood that is equivalent to Grant Avenue itself. This would detrimentally impact the residential amenity of the surrounding area,” Nora stated.
The second reason was that the proposal would require the demolition of the oldest house in Norwood, itself a fine example of Edwardian residential architecture in Johannesburg.
Chairman of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) Joint Plans Committee East, Brett McDougall said the property, also known as House Jones, built-in 1911 is significant for its age, integrity, rarity and architectural qualities.
He shared the foundation’s objection, stating, “We believe that the applicant is disingenuous in submitting a rezoning application without first submitting an application to the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority Gauteng (PHRAG), as the rezoning would necessitate the demolition of these structures.
“The JHF will use all rights available to it to oppose the demolition of this important heritage structure.”
Details: For detailed information on the application and objections visit https://tinyurl.com/y8mtk49m
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