| City to host public hearing about proposed overlay zone to conserve Bo-Kaap heritage | A public hearing will be held as part of this process to provide the local community and interested and affected parties with the opportunity to voice their views on the proposal that a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone (HPOZ) | <p>I am pleased to announce that the City of Cape Town will embark on a public participation process for the proposal that the Bo-Kaap be included in a Heritage Protection Overlay. </p><p>A public hearing will be held as part of this process to provide the local community and interested and affected parties with the opportunity to voice their views on the proposal that a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone (HPOZ) be used as a mechanism for the conservation of the Bo-Kaap’s unique historical landscape and heritage, culture and way of life.</p><p>The decision to commence with the public participation process follows on from Council’s decision yesterday, 13 December 2018, to accept the Mayoral Committee’s recommendation that the City undertake this public participation process as soon as possible, and that this process is conducted with the necessary urgency and intent.</p><p>I want to thank the local councillors, Dave Bryant and Brandon Goulding, for continuing to make themselves available to the community and hear their concerns. I am sure that they will continue to be integrally involved throughout the public participation process. </p><p>A dossier for the proposed HPOZ for the Bo-Kaap will be publicly available on the City’s website early in the new year, and at the local library and Subcouncil 16 office. The dossier will contain maps indicating the boundaries of the area to be included in the zoning, as well as the purpose and intent of an HPOZ, general guidelines, and responses to some frequently asked questions.</p><p>The City will, as part of the public participation process, issue registered letters to owners of properties within the Bo-Kaap area, and add notices in rates bills to notify residents and local businesses and to invite them to participate and engage with the City about the proposal. The dossier will be sent to civic organisations who will be invited to attend the public hearing. The date of the public hearing, and further information about where and how the public can comment, will be announced early in the new year once business resumes as per normal after the festive season period.</p><p>I want to encourage Capetonians to get involved once this process kicks off so that we can have a vigorous and dynamic discussion about the future of Bo-Kaap – one of our most iconic areas with a rich history and unique architecture. We are committed to creating a city where residents feel acknowledged, heard and valued and this is why we will invest the necessary time and effort in the public participation process. We want to ensure that we engage meaningfully with all of those concerned, and that we involve as many residents as possible.</p><p>Many Bo-Kaap families have been living there for generations, and have contributed significantly to our cultural heritage. The City recognises that this heritage should be protected, and the imminent public participation process will pave the way to achieve this.</p><p>I once again want to note that an HPOZ does not prevent development from taking place. </p><p>The zoning of a property includes both the base zoning and overlay zoning and, as such, the HPOZ requires the City to consider, in addition to the base zoning, the impact on heritage significance where alternations, consolidations, demolitions, or new developments are proposed on properties that fall within the HPOZ. Thus, in considering whether or not to approve a development application, the City’s Development Management Department must take into account any impact which the proposed development may have on the heritage of the area included in the HPOZ.</p><p>An HPOZ therefore ensures that, where there is development, it is sensitive to the area’s architecture, community, and history. The HPOZ applies to all areas covered by the overlay and in this case it is proposed that the Bo-Kaap Heritage Protection Overlay extends from Carisbrook Street to Strand Street, and from the foot of Lion’s Head/Signal Hill to Buitengracht. </p><p>Importantly, an HPOZ does not affect ownership, neither the selling or buying of property.</p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2018-12-13T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Council approves support for PEDI | For the past few years, PEDI, as part of its mandate from the City, has emerged as a critical player in the urban agricultural sector through activating portions of land in Philippi for urban agricultural usage. | <p>PEDI, a non-profit company established in 1998 by the City of Cape Town, Western Cape Provincial Government and community-based organisations, will enter into an extended Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City of Cape Town for one year. As part of the MOA, PEDI will be tasked to develop a number of management and governance scenarios for the area which will allow the City to optimise development and economic growth. </p><p>For the past few years, PEDI, as part of its mandate from the City, has emerged as a critical player in the urban agricultural sector through activating portions of land in Philippi for urban agricultural usage.</p><p>According to Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, approval of this financial support will allow PEDI to continue with its positive contribution to the Philippi area. The City also has the responsibility to create economic opportunities in the urban agricultural sector and to ensure that programmes are aligned with economic growth indicators. </p><p>Furthermore, it will empower PEDI to build on the work that started in the three previous financial years. An additional mandate has been approved to research and develop a comprehensive feasibility study related to the remaining portions of the site that are reserved for long-term mixed-use transit-oriented development projects. As the site is an integral part of the PEDI footprint, all indications are that it may be used for urban agriculture in the short to medium term. This will in turn create additional job opportunities for the local community.</p><p>The extension of PEDI’s work and the potential incorporation of additional agricultural production under its management supports the City’s commitment to the original vision for PEDI and the Philippi fresh produce market enterprise. The City, through PEDI, will continue to promote the trading of organic produce and to facilitate market access as well as develop emerging and urban farmer supply channels.</p><p>In addition to the above initiatives, the City will continue with the development of an urban agricultural academy in Philippi.</p><p>‘This partnership shows that the City is serious about leveraging its assets to ensure economic development as it will be a stimulus for the formal and informal business sectors in the area.’</p><p>‘I am pleased that Council has approved the funding which will enable PEDI to fully explore the possibilities of economic growth and development for our existing and emerging farmers. Additionally, it will provide opportunities for business and skills development,’ added Alderman Vos.</p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2018-12-13T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| No charge for solar PV system registration | The City would like to clear up some of the confusion that has become apparent in light of the City’s reminder that solar PV systems need to be registered with the municipality. | <p>The City would like to clear up some of the confusion that has become apparent in light of the City’s reminder that solar PV systems need to be registered with the municipality. </p><p><strong>No charge for registration </strong><br>It must be stressed that the City does not charge for the registration of solar PV systems. The R6 425,90 service fee will only be applied in cases where residents fail to register their system with the City. Residents should note, however, that there may be costs associated with ensuring that the system is either compliant or off-grid.</p><p><strong>Registration no precursor to solar PV ‘tax’</strong><br>The registration requirement is also not a precursor to taxation directed at those who off-set their municipal electricity consumption using solar power. There are no such plans in the pipeline. The main reason that registration is required is to ensure the safety of our staff and to supply electricity to all customers at certain quality standards. Information on where these systems exist can also be used for electricity demand control, quality of supply management and for planning future investment in electricity infrastructure. </p><p><strong>Only 2% of systems confirmed as off-grid</strong><br>Some residents have queried why registration is necessary even if the system is not ‘grid-tied,’ i.e. connected to the City’s electricity infrastructure. In response, it must be noted that the City has statutory obligations to ensure that all grid-tied systems comply with safety and performance standards. In order to understand whether a system is grid-tied or off-grid, all PV systems must be registered so that the City can confirm if the system is connected to the grid and so that off-grid systems are not mistaken for unauthorised grid-tied systems. Registered systems will be cross-checked with aerial photographs which the City is using to identify the existence of all PV systems. </p><p>Furthermore many solar PV systems that claim to be off-grid are not electrically separate from the house’s wiring and are therefore not technically off-grid. To qualify as ‘off-grid,’ a solar PV system must be completely electrically separate from a property’s wiring; for example, a pool pump that is powered by a solar PV system only. </p><p>Certain other configurations of PV systems can also qualify as off-grid; for example, if a changeover switch is installed so that the property uses only electricity from the PV system, or only from the City’s grid, but never both at the same time. Of the systems that have registered for authorisation thus far, only about 2% are confirmed as off-grid. The registration process for off-grid systems is a simplified process as the equipment does not need to comply with the City’s standards. (The equipment will still need to comply with national safety standards). At a minimum, a letter will be required which has been signed by a registered electrician verifying that the system is truly off-grid.</p><p>Very small systems that would not be mistaken for grid-tied systems, such as solar powered appliances or solar lights, need not register.</p><p>Solar Water Heaters (SWHs) that use the sun’s thermal energy to heat water directly are not considered electricity generators and do not need to be registered. Nevertheless, solar PV panels that are directly connected to a hot water geyser element via a change-over switch will need to be registered (as do all solar PV panels irrespective of their use) to confirm that the system is an off-grid PV system and is not mistaken for a grid-tied system. </p><p><strong>City pre-empting national legal requirement for registration </strong><br>It has always been a legal requirement that generation systems connected to the City’s network be authorised by the City prior to being connected. It has taken some time for South Africa to develop national standards to connect PV installations safely. In the absence of national standards, the City has developed interim standards for PV systems to be safely and legally connected to the grid. </p><p>Draft national legislation indicates that formal registration of SSEG systems will become mandatory.</p><p>‘The City understands the frustration that comes with government red tape. However, the safety of our staff and residents is paramount. As solar PV is now becoming affordable for many more of our residents, and uptake is expected to increase, it is important that we ensure that residents and the industry are aware of what is required in terms of the City’s Electricity by-law, and that existing systems are compliant. Offering a grace period for registration of these systems was the best way to achieve these aims. It is very clear that we are moving towards a system of national registration and it is the City’s intention as far as possible to assist its residents with this transition within the confines of legislation,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Phindile Maxiti. </p><p><strong>Registration forms</strong><br>Forms for registration as well as a guide to completing the registration process can be downloaded from <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/solarPV" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/solarPV</a>. The information required is quite technical, so should residents struggle we would advise that they contact the installer for assistance, as registration of the systems should have been provided as part of the installation service. </p><p>Once completed, the forms can be sent to the relevant technician as per contact details at the link referred to above. <br> </p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2018-12-13T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City urges cool heads as the festive season hots up | With schools officially closed and many businesses following suit from today, officials are expecting increased activity on a number of fronts, including at long-distance public transport interchanges, shopping malls and the beaches | <span>
<p>With schools officially closed and many businesses following suit from today, officials are expecting increased activity on a number of fronts, including at long-distance public transport interchanges, shopping malls and the beaches.</p>
<p>The City has a festive season operational plan that covers all of these priority areas and more.</p>
<p>On the roads, the Cape Town Traffic Service is launching Operation Exodus today, 14 December 2018, to ensure vehicle and driver fitness particularly for long-distance public transport vehicles. Each year, thousands of people travel to other parts of the country to spend the holidays with their families. Operation Exodus offers free safety checks to public transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are in sound condition before hitting the road. The campaign runs until Christmas Eve.</p>
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<p>‘Road fatalities are one of the heart-breaking realities in South Africa, and more so when you have multiple casualties from minibuses and buses. Operation Exodus is designed to give peace of mind to drivers, but also to the passengers who rely on them to get them home safely for the holidays. I therefore urge public transport operators to do the right thing and subject their vehicles and drivers to these checks before they set off on their trips,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.</p>
<p>The Metro Police Department, in conjunction with the South African Police Service and other safety and security role-players, will increase their presence around busy shopping hubs and major roads to thwart any potential criminal activity in these areas. </p>
<p>On the beaches, the City’s Law Enforcement Department will focus on the enforcement of City by-laws and public safety.
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<p>‘We have an annual struggle and that struggle is alcohol. It is the common denominator in virtually all of our enforcement challenges over the festive season, but also for the rest of the year. I remind the public that we have a zero-tolerance approach to drinking in public, but also anyone found behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence. There are responsible alternatives and I implore people to make use of them,’ added Alderman Smith.</p>
<p>The City’s Law Enforcement staff members are also trained in lifesaving and will assist the Recreation and Parks Department’s lifeguard complement in keeping bathers safe.</p>
<p>‘We have more than three hundred lifeguards on duty at our beaches, but visitor safety is a team effort. We reiterate our calls to beachgoers to refrain from drinking at our public facilities, but more importantly to not drink and swim. We are also implementing the Identikidz project at 14 beaches until after the peak festive season period, so I urge caregivers to register their children as soon as they arrive at one of the participating beaches. That way, we can ensure a quick reunion in the event that the child is separated from their family,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.<br></p>
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<span aria-hidden="true"></span>The Identikidz Project will be run on the following dates: 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 December and 1 – 2 January at the following beaches:</p>
<p>Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Strandfontein, Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Monwabisi, Harmony Park, Mnandi, Big Bay, Sea Point, Silverstroom, Camps Bay, Lagoon Beach and Melkbosstrand.<br></p>
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