The Petitioner is requesting approval of an amendment to Article 7, Section 7.13, Figure 7.13-1, Hotel Development Overlay District, to permit hotel development on parcels adjoining Cohen Street. The Hotel Development Overlay (HDO) District was adopted to direct hotel development to appropriate areas with sufficient capacity and connectivity to handle large-footprint structures with significant off-street parking requirements and high vehicular trip generation. The tool was also employed to protect the historic character of Savannah’s Downtown Historic District.

The HDO distinguishes two categories of hotels:

• Large hotels having 75 guest rooms or more and
• Small hotels having 16-74 guest rooms.

Establishments having 15 or fewer guest rooms are not within the scope of the provisions of the HDO and are subject only to standard development regulations established by the Ordinance. Large and small hotels developed within the HDO area are required to meet all site-specific development requirements.

On June 11, 2024, the Planning Commission recommended denial of the request to amend Section 7.13, Figure 7.13-1, Hotel Development Overlay District, to permit hotel development adjoining Cohen Street.