MID members have approved a proposal to consider extending the MID border to include the ‘Wherry Road Triangle’ made up of Wherry, Henley, and parts of Cromer and Clevedon roads. The triangle lies just beyond the Albertyn Road border of the improvement district.
The decision to embark on a process of consultation with property owners in these roads and to determine the level of support for the possible extension was was taken at the Annual General Meeting of the Muizenberg Improvement District on 17 November 2015.
Because Muizenberg has been made a Special Ratings Area (SRA), the MID is restricted by the boundary, stipulated by the City of Cape Town, and is only able to implement, facilitate and manage projects within its boundary.
In 2004 the MID achieved approval from the City of Cape Town to include the Muizenberg Park and both sides of Main, Vlei and Beach Roads. The present boundary of the Muizenberg Improvement District runs from Main Road down Albertyn Road – to Vlei Road and Beach Road including Surfer’s Corner and Muizenberg station. The boundary then extends back along Main Road, including Muizenberg Park and ends at Albertyn Rd.
A number of property owners who do not have the benefit of top up services like street cleaning and public safety patrolling have expressed interest in joining the Muizenberg Special Rated Area. In response, the MID consulted with the City Inter Services Liaison Department to assess the viability of extending the boundary.
The starting point of this assessment was to make sure that providing services to a wider area will not negatively impact on the existing boundary. After obtaining cost estimates for servicing additional parts of Muizenberg, the MID ruled out extending up the mountainside but found that the addition of the small ‘Wherry Rd triangle’ directly adjoining the present border is economically feasible.
While the MID appreciates that many property owners are pressing for inclusion, please be aware that a boundary extension process usually takes between 18 – 24 months to conclude. All property owners and major tenants within the defined area must be identified and informed of the proposed intervention. A referendum has to be held and a pre-determined majority must be achieved in order to legally establish an improvement district.
In terms of current legislation and by-laws, a boundary extension application will only be considered if the majority of the property owners support the application. All property owners in the area will have to contribute once the extension is officially registered.
At their December Board meeting, the MID directors will plan a consultation process to ensure that all affected property owners are fully aware of the implications of extending the border and can make an informed choice.
In the interim owners of properties located in the ‘Wherry Rd Triangle’ are welcome to email the MID at stakeholder@mid.org.za stating their availability to help champion the process or their concerns about the possible boundary extension. While we may not have capacity to reply to the contents of each email, please be assured that they will be noted and the MID will address concerns when consultation is rolled out.
Issued by Lesley Schroeder, Stakeholder Engagement Director, MID
About MID:
The Muizenberg Improvement District [MID] is a geographic area where property owners have contracted to pay a levy to facilitate a joint effort by the City of Cape Town and the local community to ensure more effective management of public areas and to promote business confidence.
The MID supplements normal municipal services provided by the City, using its funds to deal with crime and grime, enhance the environment and address social issues like vagrancy and finding workable solutions for the homeless. The Muizenberg Improvement District is a legal entity established under the City’s Special Rating Areas by-law and also governed by the South African Companies Act 2008. Website: https://www.mid.org.za