A planning application has been submitted to the City of Cape Town for a proposed development in Mitchells Plain. The development, called the Mitchell’s Plain Convenience Centre, would be built on erven at 2 Putney Avenue and 2 Sunbird Road, with additional erven at 1 Sunbird Road, Westgate, a stone’s throw from Westgate Mall and in a residential area.
Councillors Elton Jansen and Joan Woodman highlighted the application and the public participation process in a video on the Subcouncil 17 WhatsApp channel last week.
What the application includes
The application requests permission for subdivision, rezoning, permanent departures and a site development plan. The proposal includes a floor plan and parking areas on both sides of the development. The site is located on a main arterial.
Public participation process
Members of the public have the opportunity to comment on the application. Comments must be submitted on or before 27 July using the prescribed form in terms of section 90 of the City of Cape Town Municipal Planning By-Law, 2015.
The comment form requires commenters to provide their full name, erf number, postal address, email and contact details. They must also state their interest in the application and the effect it will have on them, their property or the area.
Comments must be in writing. Late comments will not be considered unless the City Manager allows them. A person may also request to make an oral submission to the Municipal Planning Tribunal by emailing MPT.oralhearings@capetown.gov.za at least five days before the tribunal meeting.
Councillors urge residents to participate
Subcouncil 17 chairperson Jansen and Ward 75 councillor Woodman recorded a video on the site and explained that when a property owner wants to build something, they must submit plans and a rezoning application if applicable. Jansen explained that councillors cannot stop that process because every property owner has the right to submit an application.
He urged residents to participate in the public participation process. Jansen said he and Woodman supported the development in principle but were not the approving authority because the Municipal Spatial Planning Tribunal makes the final decision.
Jansen said the development represents an opportunity for economic growth and job creation in the area and added that traffic calming measures have been approved for the nearby circle.
How decisions are made
The Municipal Planning Tribunal is the authorised body that approves or rejects planning applications. Once the tribunal makes its decision based on by-laws, the decision can be appealed. The Mayor is the Appeals Authority.
According to section 90 of the municipal planning by-law, no person may seek or offer payment in return for not objecting to or for supporting a planning application.
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