Photo: Ryan James
Heritage
Part of the charm of Parkview lies in the more than century-old history that is reflected in its older homes and shops, and its beautiful street and garden trees. As most homes in Parkview are older than 60 years, special permission for renovations is required.
The PRA’s Heritage Committee forms part of the Heritage Plans Committee (HPC), which is an association of the heritage committees of the Westcliff, Parktown, Forest Town, Dunkeld and Parkview residents’ associations, and the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation. The HPC includes heritage specialists, town planners and architects and meets fortnightly to review building plans and land use applications for these areas. The HPC is a vehicle which assists owners in making their properties conducive to modern living, while respecting the heritage of the property, the streetscape and the suburb, and ensuring that community interests such as privacy, walkability and common amenities are maintained.
Read more in the tabs below.
Buildings older than 60 years ...
Buildings older than 60 years are protected by the National Heritage Resources Act No. 25 of 1999 which states that, “No person may alter or demolish any structure or part of a structure which is older than 60 years without a permit issued by the relevant provincial heritage resources authority.” In Gauteng, this authority is the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority – Gauteng (PHRA-G). Failure to obtain the relevant permission from PHRA-G can result in criminal prosecution.
When an owner plans to alter or demolish part or all of a structure over 60 years old, they are required to apply for PHRA-G approval and, once approved, apply for the City Council approval. PHRA-G requires owners to obtain comments on the proposed alterations and additions from the Parkview Residents’ Association (PRA) before they are submitted to PHRA-G. This is done via a letter from the PRA stating that there is no objection on heritage grounds. The plans are also then stamped ‘No objection’.
In discharging these duties, the PRA’s Heritage Committee, which forms part of the Heritage Plans Committee (HPC), meets fortnightly to review building plans and land use applications for these areas. When considering the proposed alterations and additions, the HPC applies the principles of the Burra Charter. Alterations and additions should not seek to imitate or mimic what was originally there, but rather, through language or materiality, should be able to be identified as subsequent changes, while still respecting and responding to the character and significance of the original.
The application process
The JPC encourages owners to ensure that there is a visual connection from the street to their house. High walls create a hard and unwelcoming pedestrian experience and change the suburb’s character, as its many characterful heritage houses cannot be appreciated. In summary, the process is as follows:
- Submit the full PHRA-G application to the PRA Heritage Committee for comment
- Submit the application to PHRA-G along with the letter form the PRA
- Submit the PHRA-G-approved plans to council
- Contact the building inspector when you begin building works on-site.
Documents required
The JPC can be contacted through the PRA. For developing, building, renovating and altering your property, please access these documents:
Town planning
Photo: Ryan James
Residents and businesses planning to submit land use amendment applications to the City Council are encouraged, before purchasing a property, to contact the PRA to test the waters with affected parties and engage with them on the long-term vision of the suburb. This approach can save much time and money and avoids long protracted applications. For further information regarding town planning email townplanning@parkview.org or click below.
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The City of Johannesburg’s broad planning policy for the city is provided through the Spatial Development Framework 2040 (SDF 2040), adopted in June 2016.
After extensive public participation, the City of Joburg adopted the Nodal Review Policy 2020 on 27 February 2020 which provides detail to the SDF 2040. The development policies are based on principles of sustainability to address inequality and inefficiency and are intended to have positive environmental, social and economic effects. The Nodal Review Policy provides development guidelines for nodes identified for high-intensity and mixed-use development, and the interrelationship with adjacent areas. Rosebank is the closest regional node to Parkview.
The Nodal Review Policy introduces new development zones which have development guidelines. Parkview falls into either a Suburban Zone with a proposed minimum density of 40 to 50 dwellings per hectare or a General Urban Zone with a proposed minimum density of 60 dwellings per hectare. The Suburban Zone will be predominantly residential, while accommodating local needs such as local services, shops and enterprises with buildings up to three storeys. The General Urban Zone proposes up to five-storey residential and mixed-use buildings. Before 2018, the density in Parkview and Greenside East was predominantly ten dwelling units per hectare, i.e. one dwelling unit per 1000 m2 property. The SDF 2040 and the Nodal Review Policy are supportive of heritage and environmental policy and legislation.
Besides policy, there are also several statutes regulating land use. The City of Johannesburg Land Use Scheme 2018 is the regulatory mechanism for land use per erf and is a statutory (legal) document prepared in terms of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 2013. The Land Use Scheme determines the use and development of land within the municipality. The City of Johannesburg Municipal Planning By-law 2016 details the application procedures for various development applications such as consent, rezoning, building line relaxation, subdivision or consolidation, and removal of restrictive conditions. The deeds system is the fundamental system used for registering properties in South Africa. The removal of certain clauses from title deeds can only be done through the Gauteng Removal of Restrictions Act (No. 3 of 1996), which requires a formal application procedure.
The PRA has prepared Building Guidelines which detail the steps to follow if an owner would like to change the land use rights on their property. The PRA participates in all applications to the Council for land use rights amendments in Parkview and Greenside East and uses the Parkview Precinct Plan as its reference point. If the application fits broadly into the long-term vision of the precinct plan, the PRA attempts to negotiate with the applicant to have conditions and restrictions included in the amendment scheme which would protect the rights of neighbours and affected parties into the future.
Infrastructure
Photo: Dilan Bhaga
How to report a problem
Residents who have issues with water, electricity, refuse or sewage, or any other problems related to the infrastructure managed by the city, must report them directly to the Johannesburg City Council as follows:
Ward 87
Parkview falls under Ward 87, which also includes, inter alia, Melville, Westcliff, Greenside and Auckland Park. Our councillor is Kyle Jacobs. To contact him, please WhatsApp. Please be mindful of his privacy and right to time off.
Parks
Photo: Ryan James
George Hay Park
This beloved park is the heart of Parkview. Annual fees paid by residents enable the PRA to fund the upkeep of George Hay Park. This includes the employment of a groundsman and repairs and upgrades to play equipment and park infrastructure.
The PRA encourages residents to enjoy our village green with picnics, birthday parties, evening strolls or a workout in the early mornings, and to leave the park as they would like to find it, clean and tidy, by using the dustbins for their litter and the poo bags to clean up after their dogs. In line with city bylaws, dogs must be on leads. Exercise classes, open fires and music are not permitted as it is not zoned for sports and recreation.
Parties in George Hay Park
To book a party in George Hay Park, please contact parties@parkview.org.za, visit https://calendly.com/parties_georgehaypark or use the QR code.
Zoo Lake
Zoo Lake is a vital green lung for the city and attracts picnickers, wedding parties, running clubs and basketball players from far and wide. The park is maintained by a group of volunteers and city council staff. To support their efforts please visit Donate (zoolake.co.za).
Green
Photo: Ryan James
Streets and communal gardens
Annual fees paid by residents enable the PRA to employ a street cleaning team. They work twice a week clearing drains, tidying up public spaces and gardens and sweeping leaves. We encourage residents to maintain their pavements while being mindful of pedestrian access when planting on their sidewalk.
Trees
Parkview’s green canopy provides welcome shade on hot summer days and attracts extensive birdlife into our suburb.
The trees project was launched in 2018 in response to shothole borer, and trees infected with the borer were identified and marked. In response to the risk of losing so many trees, the PRA bought 700 indigenous Celtis africana. A portion was donated and planted at Laerskool Jan Celliers, Parkview Senior and Parktown High School for Girls in return for the schools caring for the trees. Parkview Golf Club planted 150 trees on their course. Several residents also bought trees for sidewalk planting, while others are watering the saplings while they become established. By the end of 2023, all 700 trees had been planted on pavements and in yards throughout Parkview and Greenside East. The new trees are flourishing, ensuring Parkview’s green legacy.
No pavement trees may be cut down or pruned by residents. To request City Parks to trim trees or fell a dead tree on your pavement please find the contact details and reporting procedure here.
Refuse and recycling
Parkview’s refuse and recycling are collected on Fridays. Mixed-recycling (clean plastic, glass, tins and paper) is placed directly on pavements in clear bags. Do not put these bags into a bin. Replacement bags are thrown over your wall. If you run out of, or don’t receive replacement bags, you can use any clear shop-bought bags. Reclaimers also work their way through the recycling. Residents are encouraged to get to know the waste pickers and politely ask them to tidy up if they leave rubbish on the street.
Click below for a list of suppliers, drop off points, etc.
Recycling collection points in and around Parkview
Paper
Parkview Library (They sell it to buy books!)
St Francis Church, cnr Tyrone and Roscommon roads
Parkview Senior School, cnr Dundalk and Dee roads
Parkview Junior School, Ennis Road (paper, flattened boxes, no magazines)
Boxes
Parkview Junior School (to be flattened please), Ennis Road
Glass
Garden Shop, cnr Jan Smuts and Chester roads
St Columba’s Church, 45 Lurgan Road
Parkview Senior School, cnr Dundalk and Dee roads
Zoo Lake Recycling Depot, located to the left after the parking lot entrance on Prince of Wales Drive
Tins
Zoo Lake Recycling Depot, located to the left after the parking lot entrance on Prince of Wales Drive
Eco bricks
St Francis Church, cnr Tyrone and Roscommon roads (Tuesday and Thursday morning drop-off at the office)
Laerskool Jan Celliers, Lower Park Drive
Old or expired medicines and asthma pumps etc.
Tyrone Pharmacy
Textiles
Parktown High School for Girls entrance, cnr Tyrone and Kildare roads (gently worn clothes, linen and shoes)
Old candles
Winnie Mc Henry, Upcycle Greymont, upcycle.co.za (082 780 3673)
Broken electronics and appliances
Steve, Sivukile Computer Recycling, recycle0791@gmail.com (076 901 0920)
Wilson (074 542 1226)
Ashley (081 582 7230)
Private service providers
Skips
Gerhard, Mobi Bins (082 823 6649)
Guy, Easy Skip (082 657 4537)
Craig, MPR Hire (071 533 2470)
Jannie, City Skips (082 371 0332)
Garden rubble removal
Lovemore (061 422 5617)
Herbert (078 076 8862)
Milton (082 762 8187)
Clayton (072 710 6132)
Tawanda (065 274 5040)
Private recycling collection
Whole Earth, www.wholeearth.co.za