Taverns and animal care centers in residential areas
Residents have until November 30 to raise their concerns with the municipality.
In the October 30 Gauteng Provincial Gazette two significant changes have been proposed in the Ekurhuleni Land Use Scheme Version 7.
The two changes involve new business options in residential areas, both in the areas zoned as residential one and residential two.
The first change is that the City of Ekurhuleni is going to allow animal care facilities in residential zoned areas.
The proposed change allows animals, excluding large farming animals, to be housed without limits to how many animals can be at the facilities.
The Ward 106 committee highlighted concerns regarding the potential of noise pollution within a residential area.
The average noise level of a barking dog is between 80 and 90 decibels which is above the World Health Organisation’s recommended 50 decibels for a healthy environment.
Other concerns raised were the potential health and other risks from having an animal care facility within a residential area.
The second change is the allowance of spaza shops and taverns in residential one and two zones.
This change will allow a house on a residential lot to be used to sell alcohol on premises for consumption with the permission of the municipality.
This provides the opportunity for disturbances and problems to arise from having such a location within a residential zone.
Residents have until November 30 to raise their concerns regarding these changes with the municipality.
Written comments and representations in respect of the draft Land Use scheme can be lodged with or made in writing to:
busisiwe.masemola@ekurhuleni.gov.za or to innocentia.monyamane@ekurhuleni.gov.za or to sibongile.nkosi@ekurhuleni.gov.za Alternatively, it can be hand delivered to City Planning Offices (Customer Care Areas) or City Planning Corporate Office at Markham Building, corner Kempton Road and Margaret Street, Kempton Park.
Enquiries can be directed to Innocentia Monyamane on 011 999 6425 or Busisiwe Masemola on 011 999 8166
A petition against the changes has been made and for more information or to join the petition you can contact alderman Bruna Haipel on 082 454 6956.
