1. Save Erf 82176 Princess Vlei posted 15 October 2010

2. City reassures ratepayers over valuations posted 3 March 2010

3. February 2010 Newsletter posted 17 February 2010

4. Development at 154 Arum Rd posted 25 January 2010


1. Save Erf 82176 Princess Vlei
posted 15 October 2010

Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance: www.gctca.org.za

Princess Vlei is the most natural and ecologically and socially the most important of the wetlands that once covered most of the Cape Flats. It is under threat from a City of Cape Town plan to have a shopping centre built on its eastern shore, on the land between Princess Vlei and Prince George Drive. This is the last opportunity for the Cape Town public, and in particular the communities living around the vlei, to rescue this neglected jewel of public open space and to turn it into something of value for these communities. Click here to read more.

2. City reassures ratepayers over valuations
posted 3 March 2010

Executive Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Ian Neilson, assures ratepayers that the process of valuing their properties is fair and equitable.
Alderman Neilson says that the process of setting rates has not yet begun, and is an entirely separate process to that of valuing properties.
“The rates process is set within a national framework set by national government,” said Neilson.
Property owners will only know their new rates bills when the ‘rate in the rand’, upon which new rates will be based, is set in May.

Misleading
The City of Cape Town’s Director: Valuations, Christopher Gavor, explained that average increases or decreases are misleading.
"There are many scenarios that may impact on the differences between prior values and new values, such as additions, land status changes, conservative or excessive prior values, etc."
"Owners need to assess whether the current values are accurate and not base queries or challenges to the values on respective increases or decreases," he said.
Alderman Neilson further explained that there is no reason to imagine that the City will tax people out of their homes.
"We are a compassionate administration that cares about our residents. Our various assistance measures, including the different types of rebates and our indigent policies, bear testimony to this fact," he said.

'Pay your fair share'
Alderman Neilson added that it is also important for everyone in the city to pay their fair share when it comes to rates.
"An increase in a property value on its own does not necessarily imply an increase in one's rates bill. The rate in the rand will be adjusted to account for the overall increase in the total value of all properties."
If an individual property value has increased by less than the average increase across the city, that property may actually experience a decrease in rates.
"Increases in rates are only expected at those properties where the increase has been higher than that of the average increase. The property values are based on their market value," Alderman Neilson stressed.

Objection period
A 60-day inspection and objection period will take place from February 22 to 30 April 2010.
An objection can only be lodged in relation to a specific individual property and any objections will be fairly assessed. There is also an appeals process in place.
Ratepayers with access to the internet need not visit the objection centres as all information necessary to lodge an objection will be available on the City of Cape Town website at www.capetown.gov.za.
Residents who still require further assistance can visit one of 18 inspection centres across the city. For more information, ratepayers can contact 086 010 3089.

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3. February 2010 Newsletter
posted 17 February 2010

Firstly, I want to thank you all for your contribution to a really vibrant meeting on Mon 8 February 2010.
Councillor Brenner , Chairperson of the Blaauwberg sub council, who usually attends our meetings commented positively on the increased numbers and the good spirit at the meeting. Word is getting around that our numbers are growing and that we are becoming a force to be reckoned with.
I hope you all enjoyed the polished presentation by Kylie Hatton on the IRT and had most, if not all, of your questions in that regard answered. I do think that once all the construction is over and we actually have the bus service up and running, it will be an absolute boon to all commuters travelling into the city during the week and I am quite excited at the prospect of being able to take the bus to the Waterfront!
For those interested in the Arum Rd development, Arum Rd nr 162-168, the request for 21 units was turned down by Blaauwberg subcouncil and an alternative suggestion of 12-14 units made. The developers appealed to Province and the suggestion of Blaauwberg subcouncil was upheld and only 14 units granted. Eric Joffe has been to see the plans and there is no encroachment on any of the surrounding properties.
So thanks to all of you for your objections and your support - WE MADE A DIFFERENCE !!!!!
I have been very busy for the last few days:

• Community Police Forum: Station Commander Supt Vosloo reports that crime incidence is DOWN in Table View .
  Bad news is that social welfare funding is being drastically reduced. Also Home of Hope have withdrawn from Table View back to Bergvliet, but the ladies in Table View are carrying on the good work. No idea where they will have premises ect , but determined to carry on.
  Good address from Mark from Narcotics Anonymous about the branch being established in the area. Access open and free, strong support for addicts and families. Pamphlets left at police station.

• Attended a meeting on Western Cape Coastal setback lines - this is a line all the way round the coast of the Western Cape , some 3000 kms, within which no development will be recommended. This is especially important for the beachfront at Table View and the 20 highrise hotels proposed for this area. The meeting however dealt mainly with methodology of determining where this line will be and the fact that the lines have to be demarcated within the next two years.

• Met with the Speaker of the City about various issues, including our councilors and problems with Planning Dept, esp fact that we do not get notification about appeals to Province nor the outcome. He is willing to assist wherever possible with any problem we have and has asked for the dates of our meetings, so that he may attend ?.. we have caught the attention of the City boss !

• Attended a meeting of the Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance (chairpersons of all the RPA's in the Western Cape on the spatial development framework, densification, and panning and development. Expected a fiery meeting, but instead it appears the meeting was arranged to showcase the city's opinions on all of the above and to send us on a guilt trip for wanting to live on our 1004 m2 plots.

• I have asked to address Blaauwberg subcouncil on planning issues and have been granted a slot on Thurs 18 Feb at about 10.30 am. Council meeting starts at 10 am and I would like as many as can make it to arrive for the address and LEAVE straight after my talk, to show interest, concern and numbers - that we are in this together and that I am not blabbing for the sake of hearing my own voice or opinions, but that all of you do agree and support the TVRPA?.. that we are in this together for the good of Table View?

See you on Thurs - bring a friend, granny, the neighbour, an aunt? Anyone, but come!!

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4. Development at 154 Arum Rd

Good afternoon everyone
Once again , we are wide awake and on top of things!!!
Remember the objection to the development at 154 Arum Rd that we asked you to support?
A Gazillion thank you's to those that supported us - and to those of who who ahve not yet done , so read on  ....
Some developers are getting very cheeky - if you have the time, go to Planning office and check on the application or departure for erf 3601 (154 Arum Rd) and erf 3644 (161 Blaauwberg Rd).

What rang an alarm bell in my head when we received the applications was that these two plots are back to back and the owners are the same (Trendware 50 Pty Ltd.) We know who the members are !!

The docs submitted to TVRPA from Planning dept outlined application on erf 3601 for a block of 10 double storey flats on a 1004 m2 plot . This is in the centre of a quiet residential street and close to Janssens Ave , which is gridlocked at peak traffic times.
The docs submitted to TVRPA from Planning dept outlines application on erf 3644 for a block of 3 offices with adequate off-street parking . 

Neither of the applications have any plans attached, so imagine our horror when we discovered on investigation at planning dept that the two properties, while not formally consolidated, will have a common basement parking area running right through from Blaauwberg Rd to Arum Rd !!
I am sure this can't be legal , and we are following up (any retired townplanners or architects on our data base who could help with such issues?) 

Whether this omission was deliberate or not I cannot say , but it does beg the question - seen as two separate issues, one might be tempted not to object , as each  on its own seems relatively innocuous.
Together they represent the thin edge of the wedge I was speaking of ...the departure of a residential ambience for Table View to look something like Rugby and Brooklyn, with a mixed commercial and residential character.

As a Ratepayers Association, we will fight this unwanted change- that is not why we all bought in Table View!

Our message to the developers: please use the land you own wisely and with sensitivity to the feelings of the residents and we will have no further problems.

Just a quick reminder: our next open meeting is 8 Feb , at the West Coast Family Church. I am trying to arrange a speaker form the IRT office to update us on the progress etc of the IRT - failing that we will at least have lots of informational posters etc , currently on display at the Council chambers.

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