Agenda item continued from the December 10, 2020, January 28, 2021 and March 11, 2021 meetings.

Phillip McCorkle (Agent) on behalf of the Housing Authority of Savannah (Owner) is requesting a special use permit for a Shelter, Emergency and Shelter, Transitional uses at 2305 Augusta Avenue (PINs 20025 10001 and 20025 11004). The parcels are currently zoned B-C (Community Business).

The special use permit requests are defined as:

• Shelter, Emergency: A facility which is owned and operated by a not-for-profit organization for the purpose of providing temporary overnight shelter, sleeping accommodations, meals on an emergency basis and/or a variety of social and/or medical services designed and intended to assist those housed in the facility to obtain permanent housing and to care for themselves.

• Shelter, Transitional: A shelter that is owned and operated by a not-for-profit organization to provide temporary residences, which may provide by referral or may provide on-site, a variety of social and/or medical services designed and intended to assist those housed in the facility to obtain permanent housing and to care for themselves. Includes Family Violence Shelters as defined by Georgia Administrative Code 290-5-46.

The special use permit must be considered by the Planning Commission at a public hearing prior to a public hearing by the Mayor and Aldermen.

This item was deferred from the March 11, 2021 City Council Meeting for the City Manager to review and find facts about a competing development proposal from Ivory Bay Community Development Corporation which is connected to an elected official who could vote upon the petition. An unsolicited competing development proposal was submitted to the Housing Authority of Savannah. State law prohibits municipal elected officials from voting on items for which they have a personal interest. [“It is improper and illegal for a member of a municipal council to vote on any question brought before the council in which he is personally interested” (O.C.G.A. § 36-30-6)]. In addition, the Georgia Municipal Association recommends that, “A public officer should never take any official action with regard to any matter under circumstances in which the officer knows of any possible financial interest he or she may have in the matter if this action has the potential of benefiting the officer to a greater extent than that available to the public at large.” Neither of these tests appear to have been met with respect to this petition. A memorandum and copies of key documents are attached.  The City Manager recommends any potential voting conflicts be resolved and approval of the special use petition or consideration of a suitable alternative site, such as Dooley Avenue.

A Zoning Hearing was conducted on this item during the December 10, 2020 City Council Meeting and unanimously closed by City Council; Public comments will not be allowed during this meeting. 

On November 10, 2020, the Planning Commission recommended approval of a Special Use Permit to allow the Shelter, Emergency and Shelter, Transitional uses at 2305 Augusta Avenue (PINs 20025 10001 and 20025 11004).

The City Manager recommends any potential voting conflicts be resolved and approval of the special use petition or consideration of a suitable alternative site, such as Dooley Avenue.