Rezoning application: 375 Jan Smuts Avenue (Erf 542 Craighall Park)

Rezoning application: 375 Jan Smuts Avenue (Erf 542 Craighall Park)
Deadline for objections: 1 October 2026
City reference: AS 20-01-6817
Current zoning: Business 1
Proposed zoning: Business 1, subject to conditions permitting additional uses

An application has been submitted to permit a motor vehicle repair workshop, ancillary panel beating and a builders yard at 375 Jan Smuts Avenue. The uses are described as already operating. Although the property would remain zoned Business 1, the application seeks additional land-use rights for these particular activities. It is therefore a rezoning application, not simply confirmation of rights the property already has.

The City issued planning law enforcement notices in December 2025 concerning an unauthorised motor repair workshop at 375 Jan Smuts Avenue and a builders yard at the adjoining 377 Jan Smuts Avenue. The notices directed that the identified uses be discontinued by 17 January 2026. Their issue shows that the City acted on the apparent contraventions, which is encouraging. It also makes it important to understand what happened next and whether the operations now comply with the City’s directions. The notices themselves do not establish the subsequent position.

CRA’s position

CRA intends to object to the application in its present form.

We support businesses along Jan Smuts Avenue and have no objection to appropriate commercial activity on this stretch of road. Nor do we regard this as an application that should cause general alarm. Our concern is that the applicant has not satisfactorily answered material questions needed to assess the proposed regularisation and its effect on nearby properties.

CRA engaged the applicant’s town planner constructively and repeatedly sought clarification. We received the enforcement notices, drawings and site development plan material. The architect advised that the site development plans for the properties had been submitted to the City and remained under review, pending approval.

We appreciated receiving those documents, but they did not answer many of our questions. We asked again for a consolidated written response in time to assess it and give residents fair notice. A site meeting was offered; however, an inspection would not itself explain the approval history, what followed the City’s notices, the parking calculations or the proposed conditions. We have not received satisfactory written answers. With the objection deadline now two days away, CRA must proceed on the information available.

Key concerns

Our principal outstanding questions are:

Existing uses and enforcement: When did the uses begin, under what approvals, and what action followed the City’s notices directing that they stop?
The adjoining properties: How do activities, access, parking, deliveries and storage on Erven 540 and 542 work together, and what rights support those arrangements?
Parking and access: How are the apparent parking shortfalls in the supplied plans to be addressed, and what are the implications of the access arrangements and road servitude?
Activities and safeguards: What is meant by “ancillary” panel beating? Does spray painting occur? What enforceable conditions would address hours, vehicle movements, noise, fumes, dust, waste and fire safety, particularly for nearby properties?
Application information: Why does the motivation memorandum state a site area of 496 m² when the City’s property information records 1,882 m²?
Public notice: The Provincial Gazette notice describes Business 1 to Business 1, subject to conditions, without identifying the workshop, panel beating or builders yard. CRA has asked how residents were adequately informed of the uses actually sought.

These are questions for a proper assessment of the application. The fact that an activity has been operating does not, by itself, establish that it should receive permanent planning rights.

How residents can participate

CRA will make its own submission. We are not asking every resident to object. Residents should consider the application and decide whether they have a planning concern they wish to put to the City, particularly if they live near the properties or have relevant first-hand observations.

An objection should state who you are, where you live, the application reference, and your reasons in your own words. Focus on matters that apply to this proposal and, where possible, explain the effect on your property or the surrounding area. Planning submissions are assessed on their merits, rather than simply by counting opposition.

Suggested email subject: OBJECTION – Erf 542 Craighall Park, 375 Jan Smuts Avenue – Ref. AS 20-01-6817

Send your submission by 1 October 2026 to:

City of Johannesburg: objectionsplanning@joburg.org.za
Applicant’s town planner: mariodc.projects@gmail.com
Please copy townplanning@cra.org.za for CRA’s records. Sending it only to CRA does not lodge an objection with the City. Keep proof of submission and request an acknowledgement.

Suggested objection

Please do not simply copy and paste this example. Use only grounds you agree with and add your own observations. You may also submit a comment rather than an objection.

Dear Sir/Madam

I, [full name], residing at [full physical address], object to the rezoning application for Erf 542 Craighall Park, 375 Jan Smuts Avenue, under City reference AS 20-01-6817.

I am a [resident/property owner/tenant] in the area. My concern is [describe the specific effect on your property or the area, if applicable].

I ask the City to establish the current approval and enforcement position following the notices issued in December 2025, and to assess the proposed workshop, ancillary panel beating and builders yard on their planning merits. In particular, I am concerned that [select and explain your relevant concern about parking and access, the scope of the activities, effects on neighbours, proposed conditions or public notification].

I request that the application not be approved in its present form unless these matters have been properly addressed and affected residents have had a fair opportunity to consider the information.

Please acknowledge receipt, register my submission against reference AS 20-01-6817, and notify me of any Municipal Planning Tribunal hearing and the eventual decision.

Kind regards
[Full name]
[Physical address]
[Email address and telephone number]