A new block of flats could be built in Bellville after an application was made to the City of Cape Town to rezone 78 Old Paarl Road from a single residential zone 1 for conventional housing to a general residential sub-zoning 2.
Should the plans go ahead, a total of 56 two-bedroom apartments will be available in the four-storey building on the property along with a private road and private communal space for the residents.
The proposal for the rezoning was drawn up by Active Planning Solutions, a property development and planning solutions company based in Durbanville, on behalf of Johan van Wyk, the authorised representative from B&M Precast Concrete Company.
Pierre Jordaan, for Active Planning Solutions, said: “It will have the purpose of establishing a high quality, higher density, architecturally sound sectional title apartment development catering in the medium income market tier, ranging from R600 000 to R750 000 per unit.”
Mr Jordaan added that the property was currently being underutilised as a single residential zone, while the property is also being used to store broken cars.
He said: “It seems as if the owner also maintained some motor vehicles and did some plumbing work from the site. Therefore some illegal outbuildings were added that will now be demolished as part of this application.
“The natural elements and vegetation have largely been affected by the dumping / storage of large volumes of building rubble and motor parts all around the property.”
Currently, there is a structure on the property, however, due to neglect, the building is not in a good state added Mr Jordaan.
“A palm tree was indicated by the tree specialist to be retained or moved as it is a good specimen. The existing dwelling is largely run down and in a very bad state due to neglect. The structure is, however, older than 60 years and the impact of the development proposal and subsequent demolition will need to be mitigated in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act.”
A total of 86 parking bays will also be available on the property with one of the bays being designated for disabled parking.
Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Marian Nieuwoudt, confirmed that the plans had been submitted to the City and the deadline for any comments from the public is Tuesday June 18.