The Petitioner requests amending the following sections of the Zoning Ordinance related to public notifications, application intake and references to the Planning Director:

• Article 2.0 Review Bodies and Administrators – Sections 2.1 General Provisions, 2.3 Planning Commission and Section 2.7 Planning Director;
• Article 3.0 Application and Review Procedures - Sections 3.1 Purpose, 3.2 Public Notice, 3.4 Comprehensive Plan Amendment, 3.5 Rezoning (Map Amendment), 3.6 Rezoning (Map Amendment), Planned Development District, 3.7 Zoning Text Amendment, 3.8 Development Plan Review, 3.9 Traffic Impact Analysis, 3.10 Special Use Permit, 3.11 Temporary Use Permit, 3.12 Special Exception, 3.13 Home Occupation Permit, 3.14 Wireless Communication Facilities, 3.15 Sign Permit, 3.16 Local Historic District Designation, 3.17 Local Historic Property Designation, 3.18 Certificate of Appropriateness for Local Historic Districts and Local Historic Properties, 3.19 Certificate of Appropriateness for the Savannah Downtown Historic District, 3.20 Proactive Preservation, 3.21 Variances, 3.22 Written Interpretations, 3.23 Appeals, and 3.24 Relief for Nonconforming Uses and Structures;
• Article 6.0 Special Purpose Districts - Section 6.1 Planned Development District;
• Article 7.0 Overlay Districts - Sections 7.2 Airport, Airfield Overlay District, 7.8 Savannah Downtown Historic Overlay District, 7.9 Victorian Historic Overlay District, 7.10 Cuyler-Brownville Historic Overlay District, and 7.13 Hotel Development Overlay District;
• Article 8.0 Use Standards - Sections 8.2 Agriculture and Resource Extraction Use Standards for Limited and Special Uses, 8.6 Transportation, Communication and Utilities Use Standards for Limited and Special Uses, 8.9 Wireless Communications Facilities and 8.10 Cluster Development Standards;
• Article 9.0 General Site Standards - Sections 9.3 Off-Street Parking and Loading and 9.5 Screening and Buffers; and
• Article 13.0 Abbreviations and Buffers - Section 13.2 Defined Terms, General.

The proposed amendment transfers responsibility for the intake of zoning applications from the City of Savannah to the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC). The affected sections of the Zoning Ordinance are being amended to reflect this change and provide a more streamlined and transparent application process. Additional changes are proposed to streamline the public notification process which will be handled by MPC rather than the City. The current designation of "Planning Director" is also proposed to be revised to "MPC Director".

On June 23, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposed amendments to Articles 2.0 Review Bodies and Administrators, 3.0 Application and Review Procedures, 6.0 Special Purpose Districts, 7.0 Overlay Districts, 8.0 Use Standards, 9.0 General Site Standards, and 13.0 Abbreviations and Buffers. The Planning Commission suggests the changes also proposed by MPC staff. The Planning Commission does not agree with the municipal governing authority not subjecting itself to subordinate review for TEXT or MAP Amendments. The Planning Commission recommends a 30 day notice to the MPC in such instances.

Unless Council desires otherwise, such requirements were not incorporated based on the City's legal review.