The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee this week approved a proposal to develop a street block in Woodstock into a retail component and a block of flats. These proposed plans will now serve before a full Council meeting for approval.
This follows the City’s Spatial Planning, Environment and Land Use Management Committee’s recommendation on 13 February 2013 that the Mayor submit this development request to Council for consideration.
The application proposes to develop the property into a nine-storey Combined Building, consisting of a retail component and a block of flats. The flats will consist of 363 units, together with 493 parking bays which will also be used by the retail component on the property.
“We believe that the proposed development of the area will stimulate economic and social opportunities for the area. The sustainable spin-offs from such a uniquely-located development will be realised after the construction phase. It is predicted that the development will contribute hugely to the upliftment and vitality of the immediate area, as well as create a more sustainable and equitable city,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater and Ward Councillor for the area, Councillor Brett Herron.
The property in question stretches from Cornwall Street to Victoria Road, and from Baron Street to Gympie Street. The area is approximately 6,822 hectares in size.
This development requires Council’s consent as well as departures from the Cape Town Zoning Scheme Regulations. Council will be asked to give its approval for a number of permanent departures of the Land Use Planning Ordinance, in order for the different properties and erven on this block of land to be merged.
The area is historically characterised by larger, industrial-type buildings on properties zoned for General Commercial purposes, together and interspersed with numerous, small semi-detached Single Dwelling row houses – many on smaller General Commercial zoned properties.
Due to the number of erven consolidated, a Heritage Impact Assessment was required. The application was also previously advertised to local and affected community members and residents’ associations, as well as the Cape Institute of Architects, and applicable City Departments for their inputs and comments. Feedback and objections were implemented and are reflected in the proposal that will serve before Council.
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