PROPOSED REZONING OF ERF 32403, RE/112629 AND RE/2179 (WP051 – EPPING), CITY OF CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE.

(DEA&DP Reference: 16/3/3/6/7/1/A8/49/1061/23)

June 2023

The Information Sheet is a summary of the Basic Assessment Report and is available at the hyperlink.

INTRODUCTION

An Environmental Basic Impact Assessment Report (BAR) has been compiled in support of an Environmental Impact Assessment being undertaken for the proposed rezoning of the Epping site. The City of Cape Town, the proponent, intends to develop a filling station, truck stop and auxiliary infrastructure.  The proposal is part of a project by the CoCT to dispose of several superfluous properties to maximize income for the CoCT.

The site is bounded by existing housing developments to the west and industrial developments in the north, east and south and bunded by Jan Smuts Drive, Gunners Circle and Viking Road. Please see the last page of this document for a locality map.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

The proposed land use planning will entail the rezoning of erven RE/2197, 32403 and RE/112629 to Subdivisional Area for General Industrial 1, Transport Zone 1 (TR1) and Transport Zone 2 (TR2) purposes; the subdivision of Erf 32403 into 3 portions; the subdivision of Erf RE/2179 and Erf 112629 into 2 portions (respectively); and lastly the consolidation of Ptn 1 of Erf RE/2179, Ptn 1 of Erf 32403 and Ptn 1 of Erf RE/112629. The filling station will also house a convenience and fast-food store and truck stop.

ALTERNATIVES

Two layout alternatives have been formulated. Common to both alternatives are that of the fast food and convenience stores and the truck stop. The table below show the differences between the two layout alternatives. Figure 1 shows the Site Development Plan (SDP) for Alternative 1, which is the preferred alternative. The SDP for Alternative 2 is appended to the BAR as Appendix B1.

LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

The 2014 National Environmental Management Act [NEMA] Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2014, as amended, apply to the proposed development and necessitate a Basic Assessment Process. The proposed development includes activities listed in GN983 of the 2014 EIA Regulations, as amended. These are:

Listing Notice 1 (GNR 983 of 2014, as amended)

• Activity 14: The development and related operation of facilities or infrastructure, for the storage, or for the storage and handling, of a dangerous good, where such storage occurs in containers with a combined capacity of 80 cubic metres or more but not exceeding 500 cubic metres.

IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL IMPACTS

The following impacts have been identified and assessed

Planning and Design Phase

• Socio-economic impact of the provision of a business/commercial erf
• Compatibility of the proposed development with surrounding land uses

Construction Phase

• Waste management impacts during the construction phase
• Dust impacts during the construction phase
• Noise impacts during the construction phase
• Visual impacts of construction activities and vegetation clearing
• Traffic impacts due to construction vehicles
• Employment opportunities during the construction phase

Operational Phase

• Waste management impacts during the operational phase
• Employment opportunities during the operational phase
• Contribution to economic development through job creation

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings of the above summarised impact assessment, Layout Alternative 1 has been identified as the preferred alternative. This is largely because Layout Alternative 1 will provide added value to the property and contribute to socio-economic development. Nonetheless, both layout alternatives would not impact on any aquatic or terrestrial biodiversity on or adjacent to the site. As such, while the negative biophysical impacts of the two alternatives would be the same, the positive socio-economic impact of Layout Alternative 1 is greater, making it the preferred alternative.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Public participation is a key component of the environmental assessment process as it introduces the proposed activity to the public and provides an opportunity for comments and concerns to be raised. Public participation will be undertaken in terms of Section 41 of the 2014 NEMA: EIA Regulations, as amended.

The draft Basic Assessment Report will be made available to the broader public, identified Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and Organs of State for their perusal and comment from
21 June 2023 until 21 July 2023 by the following means:

• The draft BAR will be distributed to the relevant Organs of State for comment via email (with a link for larger files, if necessary).
• The Information Sheet (summary of the BAR) will be distributed to via email or hand-delivered to the following identified I&APs: occupiers of the site, directly adjacent landowners/occupiers and key I&APs such as the Ward Councillor and any Community Organisations in the area such as a Ratepayers Association.
• An electronic copy of the draft BAR and Information Sheet will be placed on The Environmental Partnership’s website (enviropart.co.za).
• A media notice will be published in the Tygerburger on 21 June 2023.
• Site notices will be placed in conspicuous locations around the site.
• A hard copy of the draft Basic Assessment Report will be placed at the Pinelands Public Library for the duration of the commenting period.
• Where written comments cannot be provided, provision will be made for telephonic communication.

WAY FORWARD

This draft Basic Assessment Report is being made available for a 30-day commenting period from 21 June 2023 until 21 July 2023.

The BAR and all appendices are available for perusal at www.enviropart.co.za. Furthermore, a hard copy of the BAR, as well as several copies of the Information Sheet, have been placed at the Pinelands Public Library and will be available for the perusal of members of the public for the duration of the commenting period.

All comments and concerns raised by I&APs in this commenting period will be addressed by the EAP and project team. Upon completion of the 30-day period, a PPP Report will be compiled and appended to the next revision of the BAR. The revised BAR will then be made available to the registered public for a further 30-day commenting period.

Comments on this report may be submitted on or before 21 July 2023 to:

The Environmental Partnership

P O Box 945, Cape Town, 8000

Tel: 021 422 0999

Email: comments@enviropart.co.za

Basic Assessment Report

Epping Draft Basic Assessment Report_21 June 2023

Appendices

Appendix A1 – Locality Map

Appendix B1 – Site Development plan

Appendix C -Site photographs

Appendix D – Biodiversity sensitivity map

Appendix E20 – Specialist TOR

Appendix E21 – Proof of land use rights (Zoning map)

Appendix G (i)- Botanical Compliance Statement (Stuart Hall, 2022)

Appendix G (ii) – Transport Impact Assessment (Trafficon, 2022)

Appendix H – Environmental Management Programme

Appendix I (i) – Epping Screening Tool Report

Appendix I (ii) – Site sensitivity verification report

Appendix K – Need and Desirability Document

Appendix L – DEA&DP response to NOI