Cape Town - The City of Cape Town has decided to extend the public comment period for the proposed changes to the Municipal Planning By-law (MPBL) by an extra month.
This move comes after the Collective Ratepayers’ Association (CRA) rallied together nearly 50 000 households who are worried about the 2024 amendments to the MPBL.
The CRA, which includes 37 different residents’ and ratepayers’ associations, represents over 40 000 households in the city.
These residents and property owners play a big role in supporting the City’s finances through their rates.
In a letter addressed to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, the CRA raised several concerns about how the City is handling public input regarding land use and private developments, as well as the broader densification plans.
The association emphasised that the City has a responsibility to promote public engagement and foster a space for community involvement.
They pointed out that a short comment period wouldn’t meet the City’s obligations and could lead to a flawed MPBL that might face legal challenges.
The CRA highlighted that the amendments would affect every resident directly.
Bridgette Lloyd, CRA spokesperson, said the changes could allow for four homes on any plot or 12 apartments in certain pilot areas.
She also expressed worries about the weak enforcement of these by-laws.
CRA acknowledged the challenges the City faces due to population growth.
Since launching their appeal just a week ago, the CRA has seen a significant increase in support, expanding from 26 to a much larger number of resident and ratepayer associations.
Twelve more associations and homeowner groups have jumped on board as signatories to the open letter, along with three new supporting organisations.
One of the groups, the Greater Table View Action Forum (GTAF), has also thrown its support behind the cause.
GTAF’s Philippe Roche pointed out that this reflects the growing dissatisfaction among communities with the City’s Planning Department.
“This is an indication as to how frustrated communities have become in the City of Cape Town's Town Planning Department,” Roche said.
The original deadline for comments was set for September 23, 2024.
But in a surprising move, Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, announced that the City has taken these requests into account.
He said that an extra 30 days will be added for submitting comments.
“Thus, all-in-all, the City is having a 90-day commenting period on the MPBL, which I trust is fair and reasonable, and suffices in allowing residents and stakeholders the time they need to submit their input.”
An additional in-person public meeting will be hosted where the public can ask questions for clarification to better understand the potential impact these amendments may have on their neighbourhoods, and development in Cape Town in general.
“City officials will also host meetings with stakeholder groups, if needed. These will be arranged on request from those recognised organisations such as ratepayers associations,” Andrews said.
The new deadline for comments is now midnight on Friday, 25 October 2024.
A meeting between the two parties is now scheduled for Tuesday, 8 October at the Cape Town Civic Council Chambers, and there will also be an online meeting on 10 October at 5pm.
Commenting after the City’s decision, Lloyd added that the CRA understands the tough challenge the City is dealing with due to the growing population.
She said that CRA is grateful to the City for responding to their open letter and confirming its willingness to work collaboratively.
“The primary aim of the CRA remains a strong and meaningful public participation process, where residents’ voices are heard and their concerns responded to and incorporated in parity with other lobby groups,”she said.
Andrews further expressed gratitude, saying, “I want to thank the public once again for their interest in the by-law and their willingness to work with the City.”
GTAF has requested more time for the 30-day public participation period regarding the Blaauwberg Road LSDF (Local Spatial Development Framework).
The City is believed to have refused GTAF's requests with Roche pointing out that this reflects the City's lack of respect for genuine public engagement.
“A stark indication of disregard the City of Cape Town has for proper public participation,” he said.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za