Stellenbosch Municipality has started processing comments received by the community regarding the construction of a three-storey parking complex in Stellenbosch Central. This is according to Carmen du Toit, managing director of The Environmental Partnership, the company responsible for managing the community consultation process which ended on 16 February.
Congestion is an especially prevalent problem in the central business district of Stellenbosch, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson of Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Marthinus Botes
“We are still trying to sift through and work through all the comments received, so we are not near the end of the process yet,” said Du Toit. Despite not being a legal necessity, the municipality sees the consultation process as a social responsibility, she said.
According to a municipal notice, the municipality granted residents a month to comment on the planned construction of the parking expansion. With the deadline lapsed, the first stage of community consultation has officially ended.
Decade-long requests for more parking
“Over the past decade, requests for more parking in the CBD [Central Business District] have been persistent from residents, visitors and students,” said municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar.
The suggested new development is earmarked to be developed in the existing parking area opposite Eikestad Mall, and forms part of a plan to reduce congestion, particularly within the Stellenbosch CBD, said Grobbelaar. According to Grobbelaar, it is currently impossible to determine when the construction will begin.
The planned parking expansion opposite Eikestad Mall will help to ameliorate congestion in Stellenbosch Central, according to Stellenbosch Municipality’s spokesperson, Stuart Grobbelaar. PHOTO: Marthinus Botes
Concerns over community impact
Meanwhile, a petition started by members of organisations such as Young Urbanists, Stellenbosch Fietsry, and the Active Mobility Forum (AMF) on Change.org circulated on social media, criticising the municipality for approving the plan based on what the petition referred to as “desktop research”. The petition claimed that the development contradicts previously established municipal plans for the development of Stellenbosch.
“Our collaboration with the Young Urbanists and the Active Mobility Forum [towards the petition] stems from our shared commitment to promoting evidence based, sustainable, and people-centric urban development,” said Carinus Lemmer, director of Stellenbosch Fietsry.
Stellenbosch Municipality’s municipal parking area opposite Eikestad Mall (the yellow highlighted area) is currently being considered for expansion into a three-storey parking complex. IMAGE/GRAPHICS: Google Maps Map Data ©2024 AfriGIS (Pty) Ltd/Marthinus Botes
“Now that the deadline for the petition has lapsed and the period for community commentary has ended, our focus will remain steadfast, as always, towards engaging with local authorities and stakeholders to continue advocating towards our mission,” said Lemmer.
The petition has remained active, with more than 1100 signatures as of 5 March, according to Change.org.