The petitioner, Harold Yellin for Bryson–Read, LLC, is requesting to rezone 415 E Oglethorpe Ave from RIP-C (Residential, Medium Density) to B-C (Community Business) (File No.18-002591-ZA).

This is the second of two related agenda items as the Planning Commission recommends a text amendment as an alternative to this proposed rezoning request.  Additionally, this proposed rezoning is related to the proposed sale of 1.18 acres, which was declared surplus by the Mayor & Aldermen on September 29, 2016, under Event # 4713-3.

On June 5, 2018, the Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of this rezoning request for 415 E Oglethorpe Ave and approval of a text amendment to allow the Upper-story residential use in the RIP-C Zoning District as an alternative option (File No.18-003306-ZA) .

The subject property is located within the Savannah Landmark Historic District.  It is south of E Oglethorpe Ave and north of Hull St between Habersham St and Price St.  The property, historically, had been bisected by E Oglethorpe Lane but is now one parcel of land.  It is currently undeveloped and has been used as an off-street parking lot for more than twenty years.    

The purpose of the mixed use zoning districts prevalent in downtown (the RIPs) is to allow for uses to be establish that are consistent with the development pattern and for the buildings that house those uses to be visually compatible with other structures for which they are visually related.  The existing RIP-C Zoning District allows for these purposes to be realized.  The proposed B-C Zoning District is a suburban commercial district with standards more suitable for areas outside of the Landmark Historic District.

The petitioner has requested that this item be continued until September 27, 2018.