Public input part of Clifton proposal

OVER the past 10 months, we listened carefully to public input and have decided to adapt the development vision for the Clifton Precinct quite substantially as a result of the public participation processes.

Changes to the design vision include the recommendation that the Maiden’s Cove recreational area be enlarged by at least half of its current size to make it an enhanced public space for all Capetonians.

We thank members of the public for their input and guidance.

We have considered all of the aspects raised and are confident that the revised design vision speaks to some of the substantial inputs.

The City of Cape Town has balanced diverse and often conflicting inputs and interests and will now embark on the compilation of the tender specifications for its development vision.

This follows council’s approval on Wednesday of changes incorporated from the additional public engagement processes undertaken after in-principle approval was initially given to dispose of municipal property in this coastal precinct earlier this year.

On May 29, the city’s council agreed to the in-principle sale and the granting of rights to use, control and manage (lease) certain portions of city-owned land which forms part of the area known as the Clifton Development Precinct.

Subsequently, the city undertook a further extensive public engagement process. Many members of the public were not satisfied with the design vision and substantial changes have now been made.

In addition to expansion of the beloved Maiden’s Cove recreational area, it has also been recommended the existing space at the beach recreational node at Maiden’s Cove be enlarged to include portions of the sports field currently leased from the city by Camps Bay High School to create the opportunity for a multiuse beach recreational node, thereby maximising the public value of the site.

A related public participation process will be initiated that will also focus on upgrading and redeveloping the existing sports fields in Camps Bay for shared future use by Camps Bay High School and the current users.

The vision has therefore been extended into Camps Bay in an effort to better connect Clifton and Camps Bay.

A special fund will be established by the city whereby a portion of the sale/lease proceeds paid by potential developers will be pooled to fund inner-city inclusionary housing projects.

This recommendation has been as a result of public pleas to also look at integrated, subsidised housing and not only at what is perceived as housing for the wealthy. A political commitment has been made and the details of this commitment must be worked out.

The potential developers of the subject properties will be required to contribute to certain upgrades, including the current pedestrian access routes (steps) to Clifton’s 4th Beach, the Clifton Caves cantilever boardwalk proposal, as well as improvement adjacent to the beach areas.

The site covers about 14ha and has a preliminary valuation of R830 million.

It is foreseen that only about 4ha will be developed. The remainder will continue as recreation and public areas.

We have been transparent in our belief the economic value of the site should be enhanced through limited development.

The matter of public participation is one that will rightly gain a lot of attention in a democracy.

It is a process to inform and also to give consideration to input that has been made; but what is always challenging is that there does not exist a single, homogenous “public”.

There are many views and often conflicting interests at play during public participation processes.

A blanket approach to public participation cannot be followed as there are varying forms of public participation, for instance statutory (as prescribed by the applicable legislation) and nonstatutory (often voluntary).

The public input that has been made over the past months will now also inform the parameters of the tender.

Upon completion of the competitive bid process, further public participation will be undertaken as a heritage impact assessment, land use and rezoning application and an environmental impact assessment will be triggered.

● Alderman Neilson is the