GEORGE NEWS - The George Municipality has approved the Thembalethu Area Overlay Zone as a component of the Integrated Zoning Scheme By-law 2023. This initiative is a tool that facilitates inclusive growth, managed densification, and sustainable land use and development within Thembalethu, and is aligned with the Municipal Spatial Development Framework (MSDF).
The overlay zone provides a structured mechanism to enable the uptake of land use rights within a defined area.
It directly supports objectives within the MSDF policy that are related to residential densification, local economic development, and the optimisation of existing infrastructure.
It specifically enables property owners to use their land optimally by allowing for a broader range of land uses, including small-scale rental housing, flats, house shops, crèches, informal trading and urban agriculture, where appropriate.
By formalising these land uses within the zoning framework, the municipality creates opportunities for landowners to generate income from their properties in a compliant and regulated manner.
This includes rental income from additional dwelling units, business income from house shops, and economic participation through informal and small-scale enterprises subject to infrastructure capacity considerations.
To enact the identified development rights under the overlay zone, landowners must follow the prescribed land use and building approval processes. All other activities that are not described in the primary and overlay land use rights demand the customary land use authorisation.
In certain cases, a site development plan (SDP) may be required prior to building plan submission to ensure compliance with zoning provisions and development parameters. Building plans must then be approved in accordance with the National Building Regulations before construction may commence. All applications remain subject to infrastructure capacity assessments, and development charges may be applicable.
The overlay zone contributes to a significant reduction in costs and time associated with land development and creates an enabling environment for the landowner who strives to develop responsibly and within standards and codes to ensure safety and dignity.
The municipality plans to develop similar overlay zones in 2027 for Pacaltsdorp and the south-eastern suburbs of George, north of the N2. Property owners and developers are invited to visit the Land Use Planning offices on the second floor at 46 Market Street, or contact our offices on 044 801 9477 for more information in this regard.
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