A City plan to auction off a 10-football-pitch-size parcel of public land in Lansdowne for low-cost housing has residents fuming.
About 100 residents voiced their opposition to the plan during a public meeting at Vera Autism School late last month.
The site, on the corner of Smuts and Windsor roads, has been advertised for public auction by the City.
In a statement, mayoral committee member for human settlements Carl Pophaim said consultants had proposed building 289 social housing units on the property, but the concept design could change depending on the developer’s proposed changes.
The City has noted that the property may only be sold for social housing and it would revert to the City if not developed accordingly.
Lansdowne Rondebosch East Neighbourhood Watch (LanRoe) chairperson Rashard Davids accused the City of not consulting residents about the plan.
“They did not consider us in discussing what type of amenities are needed for the area.”
Many residents would rather see the land used for a social club, a sports arena or an old-age home, he said.
The site is opposite Windsor High and near Windsor Preparatory School, the Sowers of the Word Church, the busy Imam Haron Road and the Lansdowne railway station.
More than 1000 people could move into the proposed 289 units aggravating already bad traffic congestion, Mr Davids said.
Gafsa Davids, of Lansdowne, said: “The City is already making plans to upgrade the MyCiTi bus service in Imam Haron road, so with a proposed development, traffic will get worse.”
In a statement, Civic Association Rondebosch East (CARE) chairperson Hylton Mitchell conceded there was a critical need for affordable housing, but he too accused the City of failing to let residents have their say.
A traffic-impact study should be done and made public so residents could gauge the impact of the proposed housing development, he said.
Pastor Robin Brooks, of the Sowers of the Word Church, said they were interested in buying some of the land for church parking or a youth centre.
“We are disappointed that the City showed no transparency in their plans for the land.”
Low-cost housing could make the busy traffic in the area much worse, he said.
Mr Pophaim said a traffic-impact study was being done, and advertising the development proposal was the first step in a series of public consultations.
“It is only the initial step in the disposal process, which is a statutory requirement for the City to advertise the intended sale, which is based on the principles of public participation.”
Residents have until Sunday May 12 to comment. Email Anathi.Dywili@capetown.gov.za or call 021 400 9825 or go to Have Your Say on the City’s website and select Immovable Property notices.
