A multi-storeyed residential building with shops on the ground floor and basement parking is the development objective for the vacant land on the corner of Main Road and School Street in Van der Stel.
The proposed development plans are for the erf where a “problem building” once stood. It remains vacant after the demolition of the tumbledown eyesore. DistrictMail previously reported on the land being available for purchase following the demolition nearly two years ago (“Building site now for sale,” 24 October 2019).
The newspaper previously reported the building was first brought to the attention of council’s Problem Building Unit on 19 November 2013, after residents’ complaints that the house was falling into disrepair, being vandalised and occupied by vagrants.
Although the building had been reported to the Problem Buildings Unit, it was, however, not registered as a problem building as such, as the owner was attempting to comply with the bylaws to have the property converted into office space (“Promising prospects for ‘problem building’”, 24 May 2018).
The initial owner, a Helderberg resident, planned to establish an office development for a funeral business, which would include 10 or 12 offices, display areas and flatlets on the top floor. While approval was granted to the owner in August 2018, it lapsed in August 2019.
Due to personal reasons including health implications, the owner decided to have the building – which at some point was due to be upgraded, its roof removed and reinforced brick walls erected – demolished for resale purposes.
The property agents responsible for the sale, in February last year confirmed that the prime vacant commercial land of 1 488 m² with high visibility was available at a market-related price of R2 950 000 until it was sold and registered to the new owners in December 2020 (“Catching the wind with his bright kite,” 4 February 2021).
While the estate agent could not divulge any details of the owners or plans for the property, Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, on enquiry divulged that an application was submitted to have the property rezoned for the construction of a six-storey apartment building comprising 62 residential units with shops on the ground floor level.
He explained that the subject property currently has a split zoning consisting of Single Residential Zone 1 (SR1), General Residential Subzone 2 (GR2) and General Business Subzone 1 (GB1). The submitted application is to have the property rezoned as General Business Subzone 1 (GB1).
Apart from the the rezoning, Andrews said applications have also been submitted for permanent departure for the relaxation of the on-site parking provision to provide 58 in lieu 104 on-site parking bays, and approval of a site development plan.
“The development objective is to construct a six-storey building with shops on the ground floor, parking from the basement to first floor, and one-bedroom and two-bedroom residential units on the first to fifth floor,” said Andrews.
Andries Prinsloo expressed the sentiment of his 62-year-old brother, who has been the owner of the property adjacent to the vacant land for the past 35 years, saying: “While development of the property in hopes of curbing petty crimes and vagrancy is welcome, a six-storey building with parking for over 100 cars won’t do.”
Prinsloo further expressed concern over increased traffic congestion on an already busy School Street, especially at certain hours when learners are dropped off and collected, which results in residents experiencing increased difficulty in accessing or leaving their properties.
The situation is worsened with the Main Road and School Street intersection, where two lanes merge into one while approaching the traffic lights. “Sixty-two apartments bring at least an added 62 cars to the area, which is chaos,” Prinsloo added. “The development of a skyscraping building towering over neighbouring properties will mean privacy will be non-existent.”
A neighbouring business owner also bemoaned the lack of privacy, parking mayhem and further traffic congestion the proposed development may cause, but also expressed concern for the possible devaluation of his property.
“Ground-floor shops and one- to two-bedroom apartments are being planned for a six-storey building, which will shade off our properties,” said the business owner.
“Apart from questions regarding how this will be developed on that parcel of land, you have to wonder what kind of people the development will attract to the easily accessible area already plagued by petty crimes.”
According to a notice erected on the property, residents are required to submit their objections, comments or representation on the proposed development by tomorrow (Friday 11 March).
