08/22/2015
Notice AGM LGRAG 2015 11h15 to 12h30 Sat 29th Aug 2015 (note this site is not monitored)
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10/24/2014
To be held at St Alban’s on 1 Nov 2014 from 11:00 to 12:30 with a QnA after agmflyer2014_141024 10h19
03/27/2013
Following on the LGRAG meeting of 13 March 2013 and further work by the Task Team, LGRAG has submitted the document below, commenting on the increased residential density and land use changes under the City of Tshwane’s draft Regional Spacial Development Framework. The document also records LGRAG’s opposition to these changes and makes proposals for development in Lynnwood Glen.
RSDF submission to City Planning-Final Revision-Mar13
03/12/2013
Task Team working documents on the RSDF and residents meeting.
Presentation to Residents Meeting of 13 march 2013
RSDF submission to City Planning-Final Revision-19 March 2013 <<<< new document
RSDF Lynnwood Glen Density Map 2013 – this is an 8MB file, the relevant portion of the map is copied below.
02/14/2011
click to download Minutes of the Meeting held on November 21st 2010
Minutes of the Meeting held on November 21st 2010
Venue: 57 Ilkey Street Lynnwood
Time: 17-00
Present: Stef Grobler; Dave Rogers; Dawie Bezuidenout; Peter Stathakis; Jeanne Jackson. Jaco Badenhorst and Piet van der Westhuizen.
Welcome: Stef welcomed all present and a special welcome to the two new members present, Messrs Baadenhorst and van der Westhuizen
Issue 1 The election of the new chairman for 2011. JJ proposed that the chair remained the same. With so much experience it required continuity. All were in agreement, and the proposal was accepted unanimously.
D Bezuidenhout will be an advisor, with Chris who has years of experience in this field.
Mandate: The revised Mandate as discussed at the AGM was approved with the proviso that the EXCO be accepted as four minimum.
Meetings: JJ commented upon the clash of dates with the AGM and the LGR being on the same evening. Need for better communication.
Arising:
a) Peter suggested all EXCO members take the address and phone numbers list of all members and communicate with them when necessary.
b) Stef will scan lists and forward to each member.
c) JJ to be secretary.
d) Faan Vice Chairman.
e) Dave responsible for communications.
f) Peter; Treasurer ?
g) Piet and Jaco ad hoc to help other members when required.
Menlyn Circle Stef explained the situation to the two new members; re: Menlyn Circle and Menlyn Node. He described the proposed 8 lanes for Atterbury Road – the Super Node – and the High Density implications, and were objected to by Stef and Chris.
Dates: It was decided to have a New Year function rather than a year end. January 14th has been set for a “Bring and Braai” Venue to be decided.
Closure: there being no further business to discuss, the meeting was declared closed at 18-10.
12/22/2010
2010 AGM: Agenda, Chairman’s Report & Minutes
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These three documents will be posted here as downloadable pdf document.
AGENDA
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
LYNNWOOD GLEN RESIDENTS’ ACTION GROUP (LGRAG).
THURSDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2010 AT 19h00
AT THE ST.ALBAN’S COLLEGE MUSIC AUDITORIUM,
- OPENING AND WELCOME Stef Grobler
- ATTENDANCE REGISTER Stef Grobler
- APOLOGIES Stef Grobler
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2009 AGM Stef Grobler
- CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT 2010 Stef Grobler
- MATTERS ARISING Stef Grobler
- NEW MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION Stef Grobler
- Guest Houses
- Communes Dave Rogers
- Illegal businesses
- Developmental issues
- Menlyn Circle Stef Grobler
- Menlyn Lane Dierk Schottler
- Lynnwood Bridge Dr. Chris Semmelink
- SANRAL Arthur Dyer
- Crèche Dierk Schottler
- FINANCIAL REPORT Arthur Dyer
- FEEDBACK
- Ward 46 Councillor Prof. Duncan Baker
- Lynnwood Glen Estate Norman Schoonees
- ELECTION OF NEW COMMITTEE Faan Geyser
- GENERAL
- CLOSURE AND DATE OF NEXT AGM.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
2009 TO 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen. A very warm word of welcome and thanks to all of you for attending this meeting.
BACKGROUND.
The EXCO of the Lynnwood Glen Residents Action Group consists of a group of concerned residents of the suburb of Lynnwood Glen that voluntarily donate their time – and money – to protect the interests of the other residents of the suburb against a wide-range of threats such as communes, illegal business development and illegal encroachment on the pristine area by developers. We also attempt to ensure that the Tshwane City Council does not act to the detriment of residents through ill-considered approval of questionable applications for rezoning.
The area of Lynnwood Glen is bordered by Atterbury Road on the South, the N1 on the West, Lynnwood Road on the North and General Louis Botha Road on the East. It is dissected by Glenwood Road from the East to the intersection with Ingersol Road where it turns in a North-westerly direction to intersect with Lynnwood Road on the Northern side.
Lynnwood Glen is informally divided into Lynnwood Glen East – which is the area to the East of Ingersol and to the North of Glenwood Roads. The area to the West of Ingersol Road and Glenwood road, which includes the nature area known as Struben dam, is referred to as Lynnwood Glen West for purposes of declaring it an enclosed security area.
Lynnwood Glen is served by a number of organisations, the most important being the following:
Lynnwood Glen Residents’ Action Group (LGRAG)
Lynnwood Glen Estate (LGE) Chaired by Altus van Heerden;
Friends of Struben Dam (FoSD chaired by John Clarke)and in the Eastern portion of Lynnwood Glen, East of Ingersol and Glenwood Roads:
Lynnwood Glen Property Owners’ And Residents’ Association (LGPOARA) chaired by Dierk Schottler, which, like the LGE is a section 21 company, not for profit.
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The EXCO of the LGRAG works very closely with the Ward Councillor for Ward 46, Professor Duncan Baker. We are indeed privileged to have a person of his calibre and dedication as our councillor. He has shown commitment to his ward and has on many occasions interceded on our behalf with the council where it was necessary to do so without compromising himself.
The current EXCO was elected at the previous AGM which was held on 3 November 2009. It would be inappropriate not to recognize the many years of unselfish and dedicated work done by previous members of the Committee. In this regard I would like to mention Mr. Dave Harcourt, our secretary who has unfortunately tendered his resignation due to work commitments overseas, Mr. Arthur Dyer, our treasurer, who is selling his house and moving to Jeffries Bay and Mr. Dawie Bezuidenhout who served for many years but still serves the interests of the residents in a co-opted capacity. Theirs has been an unselfish task, not appreciated and often criticized but none-the-less crucial to the well-being of the residents as a whole. We owe them our heartfelt gratitude.
The current EXCO consists of the following persons:
Mr. Stefan Grobler – Chairperson
Mr. Faan Geyser – Deputy Chairperson
Ms. Ineke Handley – Member responsible for legal issues
Mr. Dave Rogers – Member responsible for liaison
Dr. Chris Semmelink – Co-opted member
BUSINESS OF THE EXCO.
The EXCO met on a regular basis once every two months to discuss issue relevant to the suburb. This included matters like considering applications for rezoning, for land-use as well as other issues that became necessary from time to time. We dealt with a number of applications for land use, which included rezoning. In all cases the interests of the residents were placed first before a decision was made. In some cases approvals were conditional to certain changes and in others applications were downright rejected on the basis that it would negatively affect the suburb and its residents.
We opposed several applications while we agreed with a few.
The applications that were opposed were, amongst others, applications to operate guest houses, places of instruction as well as a school for hearing impaired children as well as the establishment of a crèche for 100 babies between the ages of 3 months and 12 months.
Illegal businesses that have been identified and reported to the Tshwane City Council included estate agencies, building contractor as well as an application for the expansion of Menlyn.
We are currently faced with an influx of communes and you will find a petition being circulated should you object to this kind of intrusive and objectionable practise taking place in our area.
We have also opposed the building of various office parks in the area. Unfortunately 3 falls outside the so-called “development edge” and we were only partially successful in limiting heights as well as the taxi problem in Atterbury Road. The remaining application falls outside the development edge and the DFA has still to finally consider the matter on 25 and 29 November. I will expand on this application in more detail a bit later.
We attended meetings with various developers and also appeared before the Gauteng Development Tribunal on two occasions.
The most serious threat to the suburb remains the encroachment by illegal businesses which attempt to establish themselves in an innocent way and then proceed to pose a serious threat to the well-being and the security of the neighbours. As an example I would like to name a certain property in Ingersol Road that was purchased and the dwelling allegedly illegally demolished. There are also other examples, one being where a new owner purchased a property and proceeded to alter it to such an extent where an application has been made for it to be used as a place of instruction.
There are instances where unscrupulous agents fail to inform prospective purchasers of restrictions on development in the area. These purchasers are then surprised and upset when the LGRAG oppose their plans.
It is most unfortunate that the Metropolitan Council of Tshwane either fails in its duty to protect and uphold the rights of the taxpaying residents or turns a blind eye and a deaf ear to legitimate complaints.
THE WAY FORWARD
The EXCO cannot function efficiently and effectively without the active participation of the residents of Lynnwood Glen. We need your active and continued support and call upon volunteers who have the best interests of themselves and of the suburb at heart to come forward and be part of the EXCO, particularly as Secretary and Treasurer. We are also in serious need of a legal practitioner who is prepared to donate time to the interests of the suburb. As you will see from our financial records, we do not have sufficient funds to pay for a legal representative and have to rely on the members of the Committee to do the work.
However, with the unrelenting support of our Ward councillor, we will never give up.
THREATS TO THE SUBURB
The Pretoria East Mobility Study (PEMS) was a consultative process between the Tshwane City Council and the residents of Lynnwood Glen during which the Council undertook not to allow development for business purposes in the area below Kelvin Street in a straight line across Ingersol Road. That means that properties on the Western side of Ingersol Road, and to the Menlyn side where Ingersol turns in a Westerly direction, have been zoned for business purposes. Not only has this unfortunately urged certain unscrupulous developers to attempt to force this concession across this line, but the Tshwane City Council has indicated their intention to engage in a new public participation process that would in effect mean that it would renege on its agreement in terms of the PEMS. This is a very serious implication indeed.
Threats to residents are, amongst others the following:
>Loss of privacy – high-rise buildings next door threaten your privacy
>Loss of access to amenities – development may threaten “green areas”
>Loss of security – Empty buildings and houses (especially unoccupied) lead to vagrants / crime.
>Increase in traffic – addition of vehicles as a result of businesses attracting customers
>Ribbon development – as one property gains rezoning adjoining properties seize upon the opportunity and illegally develop.
>Threat to investment – Your property may become valueless if a monstrosity is built next door.
>Increase in noise – a School or place of instruction next door or opposite.
The construction being undertaken on the area opposite Lynnwood Road known as Lynnwood Bridge has also had serious implications for residents in Alcade Road, particularly the issue of alleged height restriction contraventions. This will be dealt with by other speakers.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF RESIDENTS
Residents should not be misled by visions of making a fortune should their properties be rezoned for business purposes. This does not mean that your property will overnight turn into a goldmine – although we all hope so.
Be alert and keep a vigilant look-out for innocuous signs in small-print on a property next-door or across the street. It may be an advertisement for an application to rezone to establish a school or an office which will cause noise and an increase in vehicular and pedestrian traffic – attracting all kinds of unsavoury elements. If you do see this, please report it to us. It is also your duty and your responsibility to object to the Tshwane City Council.
Remember the words of Edmund Burke:
“If good men do nothing, evil will triumph”
MINU TES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE LYNNWOOD GLEN RESIDENTS’ ACTION GROUP
HELD ON NOVEMBER 18TH 2010 AT ST ALBAN’S AUDITORUIM 19-00
OPENING & WELCOME
The chairman, Mr. Stef Grobler welcomed all residents present and thanked them for coming. Fifty one persons were present according to the attendance register. He requested that in the interests of time, questions be kept short and to the point.
APOLOGIES: The following names were recorded as submitting their apologies.
Jody van Eden, A. Meintjes, D Mullins, L Jackson, N. Burgess, Dirkse van Schalkwyk, C Sturdy, Mrs. Marshall, L Erasmus, F. Stockenstrom and A. Pansegrouw.
MINUTES 2009 The chairman asked for approval and acceptance of these minutes. This was proposed by Dr C Semmelink, seconded from the floor.
Item 5 (Report) The chairman asked for this to be relegated further down the agenda to allow for Mr. E Buiten to present his report as he had another meeting to attend.
MATTERS ARISING: Questions were put forward concerning the blocking of flood water pipes c/o Maldon Road and ?; Illegal Dumping: Damage to existing palisades. This will be dealt with later in the meeting.
ERIC BUITEN: In brief, the crux of all the arguments and objections raised concerning the scale of office buildings to be erected between Kelvin and Atterbury roads, were with respect to the increase of traffic and the development from up to 2 million square metres of office space. Existing roads are not designed for this increase. A report is available. With reference to the development of Glenwood Road, traffic engineers are investigating methods of altering this road to cope with the increase and flow of traffic. A report will be available at the end of November 2010. It is however thought that they will be able to cut back on the proposed increase in buildings. One proposal had been received concerning erven 81, 82 and 83. This has been revised to the allowance of two storey buildings. Pressure needs to be put on the municipality to allow an increase in residential properties and NOT businesses. It is vital that all residents of the Lynnwood Glen suburb encourage and support their councilors in all these matters.
Dr Semmelink responded to Mr. Buiten’s suggestion that the developers are not interested in the feelings of the residents, only in their developments. Prof D Baker suggested that the residents refer to sections 33, 38 and 152 1E of the Constitution and said that there was collusion between the developers and the City Council. There is a need to “fight for your rights, otherwise you will lose”.
Mr. D Rogers voiced his concern about drug peddling and prostitution being on the increase, and that undeveloped areas were an open invitation to these people.
There is also a natural migration from the city to the east and this is raising concerns that present housing will be devalued to the business development; loss of privacy and insufficient energy supplies for this area.
Mr. Buiten responded to this thought by saying that it is a problem which will have to be addressed. Another one is the 30 million extra being spent on the Atterbury Bridge development to allow for the BRT.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
The Chairperson read his report for 2010. In order to save time, it will be posted on the website. The report is attached.
BRIG: WIESE. The chairman now introduced Brigadier Wiese from the Brooklyn Police Station.
Referring to last years report the Brigadier reflected that the problems are still the same. He said that if the community does not engage with the police then they, the police, are unable to function adequately. He explained that he has “split” this area into 8 sectors each being allocated a police officer who will work with the Neighbourhood watch; the patrols and the security groups. There is a greater visibility of highway patrols on the on/off ramps of the highways and major intersections. This means that they are no longer sitting at the station “waiting for something to happen”.
The infamous “THEY” are beginning to “shop” ie breaking and entering, car thefts etc. Some canny people tend to leave their laptops on the back seat where they can be seen, and so claim from the insurance when they are lifted.
From the floor. Congratulations are in order for the police in their quick response to an incident in Kapok Street earlier today (18th November 2010)
What do the police think about the loiterers, illegal squatters, lack of ablution facilities on the c/o General Louis Botha and Glenwood roads?
Another suggestion was that we should concentrate more on the smaller issues and the speaker quoted the success had by the mayor of NY. The larger problems would surely decrease.
Prof: Baker requested that ALL concerns re any of the above matters be addressed to him, either using his mobile phone or email, and he will contact the appropriate departments.
A vote of thanks was proffered to Brig Wiese for his outstanding contributions to the security of our suburb, and the safety situation of the same.
FINANCIAL REPORT. In the absence of Mr. A Dyer (treasurer) Mr. Faan Geyser presented of short and concise report. Donations were carried forward from last year, and at closure of the books in August the sum of R 11 195-00 was to our credit.
Dr Semmelink proposed that the report be accepted. Seconded from the floor.
FEEDBACK. Prof D Baker said that ward 46 was a hard working group but that there was apathy in other areas. He had asked for grievances concerning the respective areas and they consisted mainly of, vagrants, speeding, streetlights not working violation of rights etc. Concerning street lights, Prof: Baker asked that people obtain the number of the light pole and the nearest intersection and forward the information to him, using either mobile or email.
He also said that the important thing to remember is that we need to be in a win, win, situation. Development is, unfortunately, a necessary evil, but we must remember that it does create jobs.
From the Floor: How do we get speed bumps? In reply Prof Baker said that there is backlog and only a certain amount of money made available annually. There is currently a waiting period of at least three years.
From the floor. Illegal signage, can they be removed by the public? Yes, as long as there is not a small square in the left hand corner of the notice. These have to be removed by the responsible people. Store said signs in your garage until they can be collected.
From the floor. Boeta van Zyl brought up the subject of the increase in crime part due to the closure of roads in the west. It had the effect of pushing the criminals into the eastern section of Lynnwood Glen. Asked what could be done about it. He was asked if he would be willing to join the LGRAG.
Dierk Schottler reported that Kasteel Road was being used as a short cut. Palisades had been erected at the resident’s expense but were being broken down. Kelvin Road is in a bad state, houses being used as communes and at least one as a brothel and squatters are using the open areas. Developers will build a 3 metre wall along Kasteel as far as the Engen garage, thus making the area cleaner, safer and squatters a thing of the past.
Prof Baker ended his report with this comment:- If you do not register or vote, you deserve the government you get.
GENERAL
MENLYN LANE OFFICE: Eris properties are waiting for the decision of the Development Facilitation Tribunal.
MENLYN CIRCLE OFFICE PARK: The hearing in the matter is due to start on Monday 22 November 2010 before the Gauteng Development Facilitation Tribunal. The Chairperson gave a brief synopsis of the application and the consequences for the residents of Lynnwood Glen if the application succeeds. He undertook to inform the residents of the outcome as soon as it is known
LYNNWOOD BRIDGE: Dr Chris Semmelink gave feedback on the Lynnwood Bridge development. He said that the Adams & Adams building would open on the 1st November 2010. The Glenfair Shops would all be open by 21st April 2010. The Lynnwood Bridge theatre would be opening on the 18th May 2011, and the Glenwood Road upgrade would be completed by April 2011.
CONSTITUTION: Mr. Stef Grobler requested a mandate for the LGRAG Constitution to be changed by inserting the following:
“A quorum to be the number of residents present at any one meeting”.
The change to the Constitution was accepted unanimously.
ELECTION OF THE NEW COMMITTEE
Mr. Faan Geyser took the floor and proposed the election of the new Committee. He informed the meeting that the existing Committee was available for re-election. It was suggested from the floor and agreed unanimously that the existing Committee be re-elected for next year.
New Committee:
Mr. Stef Grobler Chairperson
Mr. Faan Geyser Deputy Chairperson
Ms. Jeanne Jackson
Mr. Arthur Dyer
Mr. Peter Stathakis
Mr. Dave Rogers
Ms. Ineke Handley
Dr. Chris Semmelink
Mr. Dawie Bezuidenhout
NEW MEMBERS Concerned residents were invited to join the LGRAG and from the floor the following volunteered their services:
Boeta van Zyl,
Jaco Badenhorst and
Piet van der Westerhuizen
The Chairperson thanked the three new members for volunteering their services and said that a strong association would ensure that the principles of the Group could only be assured if members of the community stood together.
He also thanked the re-elected committee members for their hard work and dedication during 2010 and singled out Dr. Semmelink and Mr. Dawie Bezuidenhout who had been part of the EXCO in various positions over the years and now were serving in advisory capacities. He said that without their knowledge and drive, the LGRAG would have ceased functioning a long time ago and that the residents of Lynnwood Glen owed them a great debt of gratitude.
It was decided that portfolios would be agreed upon by the EXCO at a meeting to be held on 22 November 2010.
GENERAL INFORMATION;
This relates to names of persons and contact numbers in cases of complaints regarding matters related to the Tshwane Metropolitan Council. This will be published on the website in due course.
CLOSURE: After thanking Mandy of St Alban’s for the use of their auditorium the chairman declared the meeting closed at 21-50.
NEXT MEETING The date and venue of the next AGM will be decided by the Committee in due time.
SIGNED:
DATE:
11/04/2009
Last night’s (03/11/09) was attended by 86 people. The minutes will be posted here in the next few days.
One of the issues that arose strongly was the need to react strongly to the current version of the Menlyn Node and Surrounding Areas Urban Development Framework. Their is already some information posted about that here.
The best way to respond to this is for a large number of residents to make independent comments, suggest and objections on the report.
Please keep watching here for how this develops!
11/02/2009
Here are the latest versions of documents that will be used at tomorrow’s AGM.
10/30/2009
Menlyn Node & Surrounding Areas Urban Development Framework
Posted by thelgrag under NewsLeave a Comment
This study has taken the next step with Tshwane publishing the final report of the town planner at http://www.tshwane.gov.za/mnsa_udf.cfm. This is apparently a 80 MB or so file so downloading is not that simple. We do have one copy on a USB stick if you want to contact Dave Harcourt to see how you can access it.
The public has until 30 November 2009 to make inputs on the framework proposed.
Below are bits of the report that could help you to understand what you might need to get hold of – click images to enlarge. This is obviously for those with limited Bandwidth if you have a good connection simply download what you want from the Tshwane Website at the address above.
Table of Contents
Three maps from the report’s proposals Land Use, Height, Density (2.4 MB)
MenlynNodeFinalMapsProposalHeightDensit.pdf
The UDF section which basically covers the proposed framework (6.8 MB)
10/28/2009
The draft powerpoint presentation is available through the link below:
LYNNWOOD GLEN RESIDENTS’ ACTION GROUP slide show
Your views on how things are going in Lynnwood Glen would be interesting information for the meeting – please fill in the poll.
Lynnwood Glen Residents Action Group 