The City of Cape Town’s Council has approved amendments to the Municipal Planning By-law (MPBL).
Once promulgated, the amendments, will among others, allow for controlled densification, short term leasing from flats, and minor freestanding and minor rooftop cell masts, either as of right or as a consent use.
The by-law regulates development and land use in Cape Town and the amendments, part of the City’s annual review process, must give effect to the policies and strategies that have been adopted by Council over the past few years.
The approval follows a public participation process which ran form March 1 to April 1, with six information sessions having been held in Milnerton, Kraaifontein, the Cape Town CBD, Fish Hoek, Goodwood and Strand.
Residents and affected parties had the opportunity to make oral presentations at a public hearing that took place in Parow on March 30.
After the proposed amendments were presented to the 24 sub-councils, they were made available at the sub-council offices as well as online.
“All-in-all we have received 131 submissions from residents, ratepayers’ associations, organisations and other interested parties and I want to thank them for their valuable input,” said mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Marian Nieuwoudt.
“The planning officials assessed these with great care, and made some changes to the proposed amendments. For example, following on from the constructive public engagement process, it was decided to omit the section about emergency housing altogether, as it needs further provisions to the section that deals with the third dwelling as an additional use right,” she added.
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