rx nws barlinka SUMMER JACOBS
| Published date | 25 November 2020 |
| Date | 25 November 2020 |
| Publication title | Tabletalk |
The closing date for objections and comments was Monday November 9, and Ms Kane says she had to scramble to notify others in the neighbourhood so that objections could be filed in time.
The proposal includes rezoning the property in Barlinka Avenue from single residential 1 (SR 1) to general residential 3 (GR 3) and extending building up to 1.5 metres from the boundary walls.
The building is currently 4.5m from the boundary wall.
According to the application, the property will be redeveloped into a "boarding house, a home for the aged".
A five-bedroom double-storey house and pool are on the property.
According to the plans submitted to the City by Zenith Property Consulting, the pool will be filled and 22 en-suite bedrooms will be added to the house along with two storage rooms, one electrical control room, covered walkways and a terrace. It also makes provision for 11 parking bays.
Not all houses in Barlinka Avenue had received notices of the development nor had the closes leading off Barlinka, Ms Kane said. She received a notice, but by then, she said, she had already found out on Facebook all she needed to about the development.
"My life would be completely ruined if the development went ahead," Ms Kane said with tears in her eyes.
She only had a few years left on a bond she had been paying off as a single parent since 2003, she said.
"My intention was to retire in peace and harmony on my property. Now there could be up to 50 people living next door. My privacy will be completely lost."
Carol Cunningham lives in Muscat Close, which runs off Barlinka. She said she had not received a notice about the development.
"The entire objection process is unfair to the residents," Ms Cunningham said.
Those notices the City had served residents should be questioned because most people in the neighbourhood knew nothing about the proposed development, she argued.
On Sunday November 8, Ms Kane and Ms Cunningham printed flyers objecting to the development and went door-to-door to hand them out.
They asked residents to fill out objection forms that Ms Kane then scanned and emailed to the City. There were over 100 objection letters. She also asked the City for an extension on the comment period but was denied.
Marian Nieuwoudt, mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, said Ms Kane had asked for the...
To continue reading
Request your trial