This item was continued from the meeting of July 20, 2017. Per City Council directive, City staff has met and reached a tentative agreement with applicable stakeholders, including representatives from the Downtown Neighborhood Association and hotel industry, to determine the boundaries of the areas where hotels will be allowed downtown, as well as the maximum size of hotels in certain areas. Because this will require more significant changes to the Zoning Ordinance, all parties agreed the item should be referred back to the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Planning Commission for analysis and recommendation to City Council.  

The City of Savannah's original petition (MPC File No. 17-002806-ZA), requests amendment of the Zoning Ordinance to redefine hotel categories, change the permitted zoning districts, add use conditions, amend the bonus floor provision for large scale development, and change the off-street parking space requirements. The proposed text amendments are intended to support the City’s goal of limiting the size and impact that hotels have on the Savannah Historic District, and other areas, and encourage more residential development in the Downtown Savannah area.

Approval