A small group of residents who reside in the Helderberg Society for the Aged’s (HSFA) living retirement village named Camelot, situated in Pienaar Street in Roundhay, Somerset West, is up in arms after being forced to park their vehicles outside the secure gate of the premises adjacent to the road.
The residents, who asked not to be named, form part of a group of 10 who had to start parking their vehicles outside HSFA premises since last Wednesday (1 March). Three notices were sent out, the first on Wednesday 8 February, the second on the 15th and the third on the 23rd, when they (HSFA) informed residents that they won’t be able to park inside from 1 March. “Please take note that extension has been granted to Tuesday 28 February, after which residents will no longer be able to park inside the premises of Camelot,” reads the letter sent out by Rika Rodd, Chief Executive Officer of HSFA. “The parking bays are situated at the front of the premises and compliant with South African parking standards. HSFA does not have approval to change/amend approved parking allocations and to change its layout.”
Residents now have started parking outside the complex at the start of the month, although a number of them still park inside. “We decided to stand up for ourselves,” said a resident. “Our safety is at stake. The reason we parked inside was that when we parked outside (four years ago) our vehicles were broken into. Initially we were instructed to park in-between the units on the grass.”
Rodd confirmed a notice had been sent out to a small group of residents in Camelot, advising they will no longer be able to park their vehicles within the confines of the fenced area of the property. Instead, they can use the 10 designated parking bays just outside the fence, which are on HSFA property. “These are the only parking bays permitted on the property, and they comply fully with the City of Cape Town’s Planning Management Bylaw.”
She mentioned a concession was made for a small number of residents to park their vehicles inside, but overnight only. “It was agreed they would remove their vehicles to the designated parking bays first thing in the morning.”
The HSFA mentions a verbal concession was made in November 2018 allowing a limited number of cars to be parked inside the premises at night. “The intention was never that the lawn be used as a parking area,” said Rodd. “This situation has escalated to 10 vehicles parking inside the premises.”
This, she said, disadvantages the remaining 28 residents, and results in complaints. Furthermore, most of the lawn is dying, turning the area into a dust bowl in summer and a mud bath in winter. Residents have complained about the state of the lawns and the dust. It denies them their right to enjoy the use of the lawns and shade of the trees when they choose to.”
According to residents who have since consulted the Rental Housing Tribunal say they were never informed of a verbal concession regarding parking until now. “Vehicles were parked in the 10 designated parking bays for many years,” Rodd said. “Yes, there have been break-ins, and a spate in 2018 motivated the concession granted.
“One should note visitors, contractors, staff members and some residents park their vehicles in the designated bays. Vehicle break-ins and thefts are commonplace throughout the country. In terms of the lease agreement and resident house rules all personal property, including vehicles, are to be insured at the residents’ expense.”
Four residents still park their vehicles inside, until told otherwise.
Rodd stated there were currently no designated parking bays inside.
“Nor does the HSFA plan to go through the statutory processes required to designate parking bays, because the size of the property within the quadrangle does not lend itself to the designation of parking bays.”
She noted at its last meeting the board unanimously endorsed the administration’s decision.
“Residents affected have objected to the decision, as they are free to do, but the decision is final,” she adds.
HSFA decided to give current Camelot residents the option to apply for a parking bay at Vonke Park, situated one kilometre from Camelot.
“Here the bays are inside the security fence,” Rodd pointed out.
“Such applications will be subject to availability, and payment of the monthly fee. It is important that we balance the rights of all 38 residents in Camelot, not just those who wish to park inside the fence.”
