On July 26, 2023, the public hearing and first reading occured for this petition. The petitioner requested a continuance of the second reading to the November 21, 2023, Council meeting. 

Bryan Wardlaw for Landmark 24 on behalf of William Fawcett, is requesting approval of a zoning map amendment to rezone ~105 acres on Wild Heron Road (PIN 21003 03001) from A-1 (Agriculture-1) to RSF-5 (Residential Single Family-5) and RMF-1 (Multifamily Residential) with Conditions. The property is a part of the Georgetown subdivision, a single-family residential subdivision between King George Boulevard and Chevis Road. The rezoning supports the proposed development of single-family detached homes and attached townhomes with an amenity space. 

The property is a portion of an undeveloped tract of land on the south side of Wild Heron Road between King George Boulevard and Chevis Road. In 2005, it was annexed into the City of Savannah. All adjoining properties north, east, and west are in unincorporated Chatham County. The overall tract known as the Fawcett Tract, is a total of 227 acres, and the portion proposed to be rezoned is 105 acres. The property is former farmland and is essentially cleared of significant vegetation and trees. The development pattern on the north side of Wild Heron Road includes primarily suburban style single-family residences. It also includes attached single family residential uses. These patterns are the norm within the Georgetown and Southern Woods neighborhoods. The area also includes townhome developments such as Wild Heron Villas and Trellis Way. West of the subject property residential lots are rural in nature and generally larger, 2+ acres in size.

After several meetings between the developer and residents, the initial Concept Plan dated May 17, 2022 (Exhibit 7) was revised with conditions (Exhibit 8).  Meeting information is provided below.

• June 30, 2022: Meeting held to discuss the proposed Concept Plan which showed a density of 400 total units with a mix of 40' and 50' lots (Exhibit 7);
• January 25, 2023:  Meeting convened to present revised Concept Plan with these conditions:

1. Maximum of 350 total DUs (Single Family Detached and Townhomes);
2. Dedicate 40’ right-of-way to Chatham County for future widening of Wild Heron Road;
3. Install sidewalk along project frontage;
4. Provide connectivity through development;
5. Developer contributes portion of funds needed for Wild Heron and King George Intersection improvements; and
6. Lots will be a minimum of 50' x 120' (6,000 Single Family lot minimum).

• May 22, 2023: Meeting held to share Wild Heron 3^rd Concept Plan (Exhibit 8) to include conditions from the previous meeting as well as:

7. Install HOA maintained privacy fence along Wild Heron Frontage.

The developer, City, and County are drafting a development agreement where each entity will provide 1/3 of the costs for the Wild Heron Road and King George Boulevard intersection improvement estimated to be $750,000. This agreement will subsequently have to be approved by City Council.

On May 2, 2023, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request for a zoning map amended for Bryan Wardlaw from Landmark 24 on behalf of William Fawcett to rezone 105 acres on Wild Heron Road (PIN 21003 03001) from A-1 (Agriculture-1) to RSF-5 (Residential Single Family-5) and RMF-1 (Multifamily Residential) with the following conditions:

1. Total dwelling units do not exceed 350 dwelling units;
2. Dedicate 40' right-of-way to Chatham County for future widening of Wild Heron Road;
3. Install sidewalk along project frontage;
4. Provide connectivity through development;
5. Developer contributes portion of funds needed by Chatham County for Wild Heron and King George Intersection Improvements;
6. Lots will be a minimum of 50’ x 120’ (6,000 SF Single Family lot minimum); and
7. Construct a 6-foot fence built to the frontage of Wild Heron Road to be maintained by the HOA.