The City has published the final draft of its proposed new unified Cape Town Zoning Scheme (CTZS) for a last round of public comments.
A zoning scheme is a legal document that records all land use and development rights on properties. It includes regulations and restrictions on such rights and how they can be exercised. Zoning schemes are used to manage urban growth and development, as well as conservation of the natural and cultural environment.
The new zoning scheme will determine and control land usage on individual properties (such as those zoned for single residential or business purposes) and will stipulate development rules (such as building lines, site coverage, building height and related issues) applicable to these properties. It will also make it easier for residents to comment on developments in their neighbourhoods that might affect them.
Most importantly, it will unify the City’s 27 current zoning schemes into a single system. Each of the existing zoning schemes covers a different area and has dissimilar and sometimes conflicting zones, development rules, definitions and provisions. Some of these zoning schemes were promulgated in terms of previous discriminating law, such as the former Black Communities Development Act, and need urgent replacement.
According to the Chairperson of the Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee, Councillor Brian Watkyns, the current system is inefficient, costly and difficult to use for both the Council and the public and developers. “A unified city such as Cape Town needs a unified zoning scheme that does not reflect past discrimination and that responds to current challenges.“
“To overcome this problem, a single zoning scheme has been developed for the entire City. Informed by a set of guiding principles, it was also recognised that the City is a diverse area and that the new system should be able to respond to such diversities. To achieve this, a number a mechanisms, such as more flexible and mixed use zoning categories, performance zoning techniques and overlay zones were introduced,” he said.
As the new scheme will directly affect what an owner may develop on or use a property for and how such development may take place, Councillor Watkyns has invited all interested and affected parties to comment on the final draft.
The full document with appendices or an executive summary may be downloaded by clicking on the links below:
CTZS Final draft – Regulations (PDF, 1.2mb)
CTZS Final draft – Table A (PDF, 223kb)
CTZS Final draft – Appendix - regulations (PDF, 8.4mb)
CTZS Final draft - Appendix - Constantia Tokai Local Area Overlay Map (PDF, 365kb)
CTZS Final draft - Appendix - Cape Town CBD Local Area Overlay Map (PDF, 275kb)
CTZS Final draft – Executive summary - English (PDF, 331kb)
CTZS Final draft – Executive summary - Afrikaans (PDF, 365kb)
CTZS Final draft – Executive summary - Xhosa (PDF, 417kb)
CTZS Final draft – I&AP Notice (PDF, 170kb)
In addition, printed copies are also available for viewing at all the City’s libraries, subcouncil offices and district planning offices.
To consider the proposed new zoning regulations in the context of a specific property, residents can search the existing and proposed (converted) zoning of individual properties by clicking here.
Written comments on the CTZS must be submitted on or before 30 April 2010 in any of the following ways:
- by post to the Project Manager, CTZS Operational Office, PO Box 298, Cape Town, 8000
- by hand to any subcouncil office (For attention: CTZS Operational Office), district planning office or directly to the CTZS Operational Office, 16th floor, Tower block, Civic centre, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town
- by fax to 021 425 4327
- by e-mail to lums@capetown.gov.za
- by capturing it here (see bottom of page)
Should a member of the public be unable to submit comments in writing, he/she can make special arrangements with his/her nearest district planning office for assistance.
In addition to the above, a public hearing will be held on 15 April for those who wish to make verbal submissions. Residents who wish to speak at the hearing must register before 9 April by phoning 021 400 2399 for a time slot.
Says Taki Amira, Chairperson of the CTZS Steering Committee: “The proposed CTZS document has so far been taken through a comprehensive public consultation process to ensure that all interested and affected parties are properly informed and provided with an opportunity to comment on it. Previous consultation rounds included a number of information sessions and community open days. During this final round, property owners should also be watchful for information messages on their rates accounts, as well as press statements and notices indicating where and when the CTZS documentation is available for viewing."
Amongst others, members of the public will also be able to view the CTZS regulations and zoning maps during normal working hours at their nearest District Planning Office, comments Amira.
According to Amira, all comments received during this period will be considered by the CTZS Steering Committee and further improvements will be made to the regulations where considered appropriate. “The draft, together with all comments received during this final consultation process, will be submitted to the City’s Planning & Environment Portfolio Committee for consideration and recommendation to go to the relevant Provincial Minister for approval.”
Further enquiries may be directed to Jaco van der Westhuizen at jaco.vanderwesthuizen@capetown.gov.za or Gideon Brand at gideon.brand@capetown.gov.za.