The petitioner, Keith White (property owner), is requesting approval (File No. 18-003471) to rezone 0.57 acres (24,830 SF) at 161 Canebrake Road from R-A-CO (Residential Agriculture – Annexed) to RB-1 (Residential-Business).  The purpose of the rezoning is for the establishment of an office for a satellite and security firm.

The Mayor & Aldermen annexed the property on November 10, 2004 and assigned the R-A-CO Zoning District to the property on November 24, 2004.

On July 17, 2018, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of this request to rezone 161 Canebrake Road from R-A-CO to RB-1.

The RB-1 Zoning District is, along with the R-B Zoning District, the least-intense of the city’s commercial districts.  The uses permitted within the RB-1 Zoning District are intended to be compatible with adjacent residential uses in regard to their noise, odor, and traffic generation.  Additionally, the RB-1 Zoning District represents an appropriate transitional zoning district between the residential/agricultural land at the southern end of Canebrake Road and the existing regional commercial uses at its northern end. 

The Chatham County-Savannah Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designates the subject property and the entire southern frontage of Canebrake Road as Commercial – Regional.  Per the Tricentennial Plan, the Commercial – Regional FLUM designation is intended for, “business areas supporting most retail, service, office, and institutional uses.  Large-scale commercial uses such as shopping malls and lifestyle centers are appropriate.”  The proposed RB-1 Zoning District is consistent with the intent of the Commercial – Regional FLUM designation.

Approval