16/08/2017: Call for public to have their say in the draft City of Johannesburg Land Use Scheme
The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Development Planning will embark on its public consultation campaign for the draft City of Johannesburg Land Use Scheme.
Drafted less than a year ago, the proposed document seeks to do away with the City’s historic town planning schemes, adopted in the 1970s and early 1980s, in favour of a new consolidated regulatory tool.
Johannesburg currently has 16 different historic town planning schemes; each different in their definition of land use, and prescribe different processes to obtain land use rights. But these differences create challenges for residents and the developing community.
The older schemes are further believed to have been designed to separate and discriminate people in terms of the colour of their skins.
Member of the Mayoral Committee, Cllr Funzela Ngobeni, has encouraged residents, property developers and land owners to take part in the development of the regulatory document.
“Emphasis in the old schemes is premised on the separation of land uses, and areas, as opposed to integration and inclusion. The prescriptions in the [different] schemes create inconsistent rules for land development depending on the location in the city.
“For instance, a spaza shop in Soweto does not require any town planning application, but in Cosmo City, the same use requires a rezoning application, which is a specialised, technical and complex process,” he said.
As an important tool forming the basis for zoning law enforcement in the City, the draft scheme also prescribes the extent to which properties can be developed and stipulates processes regarding the use of properties
MMC Ngobeni reiterated that residents and business needed to increase awareness on land use regulations to promote compliance with the law and avert criminal charges relating to non-compliance.
In line with the new administration’s strategic vision, the draft Land Use Scheme aims to:
• Establish new processes for land development that will promote economic development and attract investment;
• Implement the City’s Spatial Development Framework to provide meaningful redress;
• Introduce compatible land use and lawful enforcement with respect to zoning in order to safeguard land development investment and reduce risks to public health and business confidence;
• Make provision for socio economic zones with customized rules for development; and
• Ensure that land development preserves natural and heritage resources for future generations.
The draft Land Use Scheme will undergo a 60-day public consultation period. Copies of the document will lie open for inspection during normal office hours until 13 October 2017 at:
• Help Desk, 5th Floor, A-Block, Metropolitan Centre, 158 Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein;
• Group Legal & Contracts Department’s Legal Library at the same address on the 3rd Floor, A-Block;
• All Council Libraries throughout the City;
• All Regional Offices;
• On the City’s website: www.joburg.org.za / Draft City of Johannesburg Land Use Scheme
Any comment on the draft Land Use Scheme must be addressed to the Executive Director: Development Planning, clearly marked “CoJ LUS COMMENTS”, and submitted in writing on or before 13 October 2017, as follows:
• By hand to the Help Desk at the physical address provided above;
• By post (PO Box 30773, Johannesburg, 2017); or
• By e-mail : CoJLandUseSchemeComments@joburg.org.za
Details of the public consultation sessions are as follows:
REGION
DATE
TIME(S)
SESSION
VENUE
A
4 Sept 2017
18:00 - 21:00
Session 1
Midrand Fire Station
B
6 Sept 2017
18:00 - 20:00
Session 1
Marks Park Sports Club
C
4 Sept 2017
18:00 - 21:00
Roodepoort Civic Centre in Florida Park
D
5 Sept 2017
12:00 - 14:00
Session 1
Council Chamber, Jabulani Civic Centre, No. 1 Koma Rd
18:00 - 19:30
Session 2
Council Chamber, Jabulani Civic Centre, No. 1 Koma Rd
E
6 Sept 2017
12:00 - 14:00
Session 1
Malboro Community hall, Malboro, City
18:00 - 19:30
Session 2
Malboro Community hall, Malboro, City
F
7 Sept 2017
18:00 - 21:00
Session 1
Queen Modjadji Room, Eureka House, Cnr. Marlborough and Rosettenville Roads, Springfield.
G
7 Sept 2017
14:00 - 16:00
Session 1
Ennerdale Civic Centre
For media queries, contact:
Poppy Louw
Stakeholder Manager
Office of the MMC: Development Planning
011 407 6695
081 235 4999
poppyl@joburg.org.za
