Prepared by: Upper Woodstock Residents Association
Date: 22nd October 2007
1Purpose of the Development Framework
- To provide the City of Cape Town
- with a framework on the development & rejuvenation of Woodstock
- based on the views of the residents of Upper Woodstock
- so that they might be incorporated in the City’s plans for development, including the Integrated Development Plan & District Plans
2Goals
The framework seeks to answer the following questions:
- What makes Woodstock unique and special?
- What would be allowed in terms of renewal and development?
- What specific areas require unique consideration?
3Process
The following process was followed in order to acquire the views of residents and present them in this document:
- UWRA proposed some initial views
- These views were circulated amongst residents in the form of an Open Discussion Document
- Feedback from residents obtained and the document circulated again
- Summary presented at the UWRA General Meeting
- Submission (this document) prepared
4Development Framework
4.1Core Requirement
Woodstock is to maintain its residential look, feel and mixed community character while encouraging revitalization & development that supports the Woodstock community
4.2Woodstock - unique and special
The following contribute to the uniqueness and specialness of Woodstock:
- City and suburban living
- Mixed community
- Sense of community
- Victorian character
These characteristics have been lost in many parts of the city, and it is the expressed view of the residents that this is not lost in Woodstock.
4.3Proposed framework for renewal and development
- Development & renewal should be encouraged – however, development should be:
- Appropriate – Residential and community nature of Woodstock.
- Integrated – Diverse nature of Woodstock.
- Sustainable – Long term goals are identified and short term goals are appropriate
- Public Open Spaces MUST be protected and renewed for the benefit of the community
- Development must:
- Be compliant with local and provincial legislation
- Including zoning / building / heritage / approval processes
- This must be enforced
- Individuals/developers that deviate from the approved processes must be brought to book
- Adhere, In particular, to building restrictions
- Departures should not be tolerated
- Specifically, setbacks, building heights and heritage restrictions must always be enforced
- Be sympathetic to the current nature of Woodstock
- The Heritage feel should be maintained
- Streetscapes are to be maintained as far as possible
- Facades of heritage buildings are not to be changed
- Walls are to be kept low
- Provide additional off street parking to help address increased traffic & congestion
- Buildings of particular heritage significance should be identified, catalogued and mapped.
- Additional trees and greening should be required by developers
- Business development :
- should be encouraged on Victoria Road and not into the residential areas of Woodstock
- should encourage community interaction and growth
- e.g. restaurants, outdoor / street cafés, delis, grocers, low key retail, professional offices, alternative therapists,
- not industrial or noisy commercial
- Tourism and micro or home manufacturing should be promoted
- Traffic:
- A Traffic impact assessment should take place in Woodstock
- To ensure densification does not overload the roads or pedestrian routes
- Calming measures should be implemented where necessary
- Parking should be improved
- Other solutions to parking problems, such as permit based systems, should be explored.
- Definitely no additional Highways through Woodstock
- Municipal Services:
- A full assessment of all services should be carried out
- To ensure development does not overload the services
- Sewerage, Municipal Water, Storm water drains and Electricity supply should be evaluated
- Sufficient capacity must be ensured for any growth in development
4.4Areas requiring unique consideration
- Four development precincts have been identified:
- The Woodstock Pool and sports fields
- Roodebloem Road
- The Hospital precinct (hospital, cathedral and bowling green)
- Victoria Rd
- These precincts are to be managed as units with their own pedestrian spaces and community areas.
- Pedestrian linkages and conduits between these areas should be identified and enhanced.
- Proper pedestrian routes, pathways, lighting and security initiatives.
4.4.1The Woodstock Pool and sports fields
- The Pool precinct should be revitalised and developed as a public sports and recreation area and maintained as such.
- The adjoining vacant land (sports fields) should be integrated with this space.
4.4.2Roodebloem Road
- Traffic calming should be introduced on Roodebloem Road.
- These measures should include additional pedestrian crossings, raised pedestrian crossings, cobbling and trees, or any other innovative measure to reduce traffic
- The zoning of the full length of Roodebloem Road as “business” or “mixed use” would be permitted, subject to further consultation with all role players and interested parties
- “Models” similar to the Kloof Street and Melville should guide development along Roodebloem Road, where zoning allows, with an emphasis on development that embodies mixed use and the mixture of cultures in the area.
4.4.3Hospital precinct
- For the hospital precinct we are in agreement with the proposals made in the “Woodstock Salt River Revitalisation Framework”.
4.4.4Victoria Rd
- Business development along Victoria (Main) Road should be encouraged
- The existing buildings on Victoria Road should be maintained in their traditional mixed use format (with business downstairs and residential development upstairs)
- New development should emphasise the current Victorian feel
- There is great potential to significantly improve the feel, utilisation, economic development and safety of this road.
Conclusion
We support the Council process of compiling District plans, and welcome the opportunity to play a part in this process.
Upper Woodstock Development Framework, Page 1