- Years of hard work and collaboration will now help residents create a safer and more beautiful Mitchell’s Plain, following the decision to waive application fees for the leasing of identified high-risk lanes.
- It was recommended at the council that there no longer be application costs associated with leasing more than 300 identified public lanes adjacent to residents’ homes in the area.
- This comes after years of consultation and piloting the project in Westridge, Portlands and Woodlands.
Years of hard work and collaboration will now help residents create a safer and more beautiful Mitchell’s Plain, following the decision to waive application fees for the leasing of identified high-risk lanes.
It was recommended at the council that there no longer be application costs associated with leasing more than 300 identified public lanes adjacent to residents’ homes in the area.
This comes after years of consultation and piloting the project in Westridge, Portlands and Woodlands.
The City of Cape Town first tabled a motion to close some of these high-risk lanes in 2013, which saw the launch of the pilot project where 57 lanes were initially closed and could instead be used for community gardening, among other things.
The decision to do away with the application fees represents a milestone for the local community, as it will assist in closing off thoroughfares used for criminal activities.
The decision is also the culmination of the collaborative efforts of City officials, including sub-council chairpersons, ward councillors and the community.
“It gives me great pleasure to share the tabling at this year’s first Mayco meeting of a report recommending the waiving of lease application fees for the proposed leasing of lanes identified for closure to the respective abutting Mitchell’s Plain property owners,” said Mayco member for economic growth James Vos.
“As reported at the time, 55 out of the 57 lanes that formed part of the pilot for Portlands and Westridge were closed. The new report anticipates the closure of some 318 lanes with an estimated cost of R8 million, which the City will offset to qualifying residents, apart from the payment of the nominal annual rental tariff which will be the responsibility of the lessee.
“Similarly, during May 2020 the City approved the closure of 25 lanes for Woodlands, with the funding model being included in the estimated costs.”
The closure of the majority of these historic lanes represents the natural progression of the community, expanding its boundaries to incorporate historic sanitation and service access ways into the more effective use for gardening and increased security purposes.
“The reduction of the application cost puts this opportunity within reach of all the affected property owners, demonstrating the ability of this administration to respond to feedback and prioritise the needs of the community.
“I am proud of this initiative from a community cost-saving perspective, the ease of doing business ethos and ultimately assisting with the prevention of criminal activities through these thoroughfares,” said Vos.
“The initiative will continue to be ably driven by the Mitchell’s Plain Lane Closure Project Committee, which constitutes various officials and political office bearers. The committee operates in conjunction with Subcouncils 12 and 17.”
Initially, the lanes discussion concentrated on a specific area, but is now inclusive of all Mitchell’s Plain suburbs.
“The waiver of the advertising fee is a step in the right direction,” said Subcouncil 12 chair Solomon Philander. “This will allow adjacent property owners to apply for a lease at a minimal monthly fee. Lanes in Mitchell’s Plain attract crime and grime and escapes for perpetrators of crime. The closing of the lanes will create a safer community by reducing crime.”
Subcouncil 17 chair Elton Jansen also welcomes the decision.
“These lanes have been a very sensitive issue for many residents living next to them, in terms of the criminal and other unsavoury activities associated with them,” he said. “This will assist them to make their immediate vicinity safer and, at the same time, use it to beautify their area as many of our residents have already done.”
With the decision approved by the council, the following stages of the process can commence, with affected property owners invited to submit lease applications. More details will be given in due course.
