The petitioner submitted a request to amend Figure 7.13-1 Savannah Historic District Hotel Development Overlay District (Hotel Overlay) to include portions of Bull Street and Congress Street. The intent of the Hotel Overlay is to establish standards to guide the size and location of future hotel development within the Savannah Historic District by distinguishing hotel categories by large hotels (75+ guest rooms) and small hotels (16-74 guest rooms) based on the Smith Travel Accommodations Report (STAR) program used by the global hotel industry. It also specifies a condition that new hotels must be located on a designated street as shown on Figure 7.13-1.

After reviewing the petition, MPC staff prepared an alternative amendment to address the re-establishment of a building that was previously used as a hotel within the Hotel Overlay. The Planning Commission approved an alternative to the petitioner’s amendment to read:

7.13.5 Hotel Use Conditions

4. Re-establishment of a Historic Hotel

Existing contributing buildings located within the Hotel Development Overlay District, that were converted from hotels to another conforming use within the Period of Significance, as defined in Sec. 7.8.5 may be re-established as a hotel use. Section 7.13.6 (c) criteria does not apply to the re-establishment of a historic hotel. In such case, the Historic Preservation Officer shall validate the historic use prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

During the MPC meeting, the petitioner agreed to meet with the stakeholder group who initially crafted the Hotel Overlay to review the amendment based on the City Manager’s request. Following the MPC meeting, representatives from the Downtown Neighborhood Association, Historic Savannah Foundation, Tourism Leadership Council, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Planning Commission, and City of Savannah discussed the proposed text and agreed to minor revisions as an alternative amendment. The new language represents a collaborative approach which strengthens MPC’s amendment and maintains the integrity of the ordinance. The revision reads:

7.13.5 Hotel Use Conditions

2. Re-establishment of a Historic Hotel

An existing contributing building located within the Hotel Development Overlay District, that was constructed as a hotel within the Period of Significance, as defined in Sec. 7.8.5, and subsequently converted to another use, may be re-established as a hotel. Section 7.13.5 (a) criteria does not apply to the re-establishment of a historic hotel. In such case, the Planning Director shall validate the prior historic use prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.

On July 26, 2022, the Planning Commission denied the petitioner's text amendment to Section 7.13-1 Hotel Development Overlay District. The review body recommended an alternative amendment to re-establish a building as hotel if it could be confirmed that it was previously used as a hotel. 

It is recommended that an alterantiave amendment--that has been vetted by the stakeholder group who initially crafted the Hotel Overlay--be approved which states:

7.13.5 Hotel Use Conditions

2. Re-establishment of a Historic Hotel

An existing contributing building located within the Hotel Development Overlay District, that was constructed as a hotel within the Period of Significance, as defined in Sec. 7.8.5, and subsequently converted to another use, may be re-established as a hotel. Section 7.13.5 (a) criteria does not apply to the re-establishment of a historic hotel. In such case, the Planning Director shall validate the prior historic use prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.