Dispute Drags on Over eThekwini Beachfront Beautification Project

A land battle between a beachfront property owner and the eThekwini municipality is heating up. The city is arguing that the landowner has deliberately stalled the renovation of his beachfront amusement park, which was to be beautified ahead of the World Cup. The new set of delays could push back a legal decision -- and any work -- until mid-May.

But Steyn said in the latest round of papers filed with the Durban High Court that this was "disingenuous and unconvincing", and asked why the council could not find space elsewhere for the traders.

"It seems it is intent on advancing, for its own commercial gain, the rights of other commercial entities to the detriment of the applicant.

"Surely the location of street traders is irrelevant to the success and future opportunities of the World Cup," he said.

The council, in its previous papers, disclosed that Steyn had complained about loss of income and asked for compensation of R1.5-million, which had been refused. Steyn insisted that his business had suffered during the upgrade, with telephone lines, water and electricity frequently cut off. He said three of the four entrances to his park were also closed off.

Beachfront battle turns ugly
The Mercury
April 22, 2010

Cape Town Seeks Land Use Regulations for Walls, Adult Businesses

Cape Town is considering changes to its zoning and land use laws that will prohibit adult businesses from locating in residential or business zones, and another change that seeks to standardize the walls many residents are putting up around their homes for security. Crime is a major concern for residents in Cape Town and throughout South Africa.

Capetonians will finally have their say in the City of Cape Town's much-debated Integrated Zoning Scheme, which proposes to bar all adult-related businesses from residential and business areas.

...Meanwhile, the city's boundary walls and fences project is also one step closer to becoming drafted as a bylaw, as it is expected to be handed over to the mayoral committee soon for a first draft to be drawn up.

The policy restricts city residents from erecting solid boundary walls higher than 1.8m, or 2.1m for palisade fencing. With fixtures, a wall can be as high as 2.4m, but consent has to be granted by the neighbours. A maximum height of 450mm of electric fencing is allowed, but razor or barbed wire and glass shards are not permitted in residential areas.

Source:
People to have their say over adult business
Cape Argus
April 9, 2009