Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews, micro-developer and owner Zandile Nakani, Geordin Hill-Lewis Executive Mayor of Cape Town and uMastandi Portfolio Manager, Nomfundo Molemohi, during a recent walkabout of micro developments in Eersterivier. Photographer Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
After much consultation, the City of Cape Town is proposing a number of amendments and new provisions to the Municipal Planning By-law (MPBL) that regulates development and land use in the city as part of its five-year review process.
The City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, says there are a number of proposed amendments and new provisions. However, these two below speak specifically to the micro-developer:
· An ‘affordable rental flat’ is a new proposed additional use right on properties within 194 identified areas across Cape Town to enable the development of small-scale affordable rental accommodation in these areas.
It is proposed that the number of small scale affordable rental units on a single property may not exceed 8 units plus a dwelling house, or 12 units if there is no dwelling house on the land. A map of the proposed 194 areas is available online, and residents are encouraged to peruse the map and to submit their comments
· One of the key initiatives for making it easier and more cost-effective to develop, is the proposed introduction of incentive overlay zones (IOZs) for development focus areas in Athlone, Maitland, Parow/Elsies River, Bellville and Diep River. The intention is to assign additional and enhanced development rights to properties that fall within these zones
These and the many other amendments suggested (see link below) are intended to make it easier to build and develop in Cape Town, improve clarity and certainty, encourage the development of affordable rental accommodation in identified areas, accommodate advancements in the renewable energy sector, and enable the City to impound moveable property that is being used for illegal building and demolition work when an order to stop work is ignored, amongst others.
HAVE YOUR SAY
The City is urging Capetonians to make use of the opportunity to comment on the proposed new provisions and amendments to municipal planning by-law.
The proposed revised Municipal Planning By-law and an explanatory document to guide comments are available on the City’s website at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay.
Comments and recommendations can be submitted as follows:
1. Online at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
2. Email to lums@capetown.gov.za