Concern over heritage process
THE Bo-Kaap civic and ratepayers association said it was concerned about public hearings that were held separately for community organisations and businesses into declaring the area a heritage protection overlay zone (HPOZ).
“We welcome the community public hearings on the HPOZ as part of the public participation process. We were concerned that there were separate hearings for businesses and professionals and a complete separate hearing for community organisations. However members of the community had an opportunity to have their voices heard,” said Jacky Poking, secretary of the association.
Poking said they hoped the mayor would take note of what they said and of the recommendations that were made by the community.
“The HPOZ is a living document and we want to work together with the City in working on the conservation management plan for Bo-Kaap. We want the HPOZ to be implemented immediately while we look at special provisions to be added for Bo-Kaap’s HPOZ,” she said.
The City’s public participation process is nearing an end.
Comments should be submitted by February 22.
The City’s Bo-Kaap proposal was aimed at conserving the suburb’s unique historical character and way of life by managing development in a sustainable and considered manner.
In 2016 the process was halted and the HPOZ for the Bo-Kaap was put on hold indefinitely. In early 2018, ward 77 councillor Brandon Golding submitted another motion to subcouncil 16 requesting that the HPOZ for the Bo-Kaap be implemented with immediate effect and that reasons be given for the delay.
“We want to work together with the City like we did before we drew up the draft for the HPOZ document of 2015,” Poking said.
Mayor Dan Plato said: “It is important to note that an HPOZ does not prevent development from taking place. But an HPOZ does require the City to consider, in addition to the base zoning, the impact on heritage significance where alterations, consolidations, demolitions, or new developments are proposed on properties that fall within an HPOZ. The HPOZ applies to all areas covered by the overlay and in this case it is proposed that the Bo-Kaap HPOZ extends from Carisbrook Street to Strand Street, and from the foot of Lion’s Head/Signal Hill to Buitengracht Street.”