The City owns the Savannah Ogeechee Canal (the “Canal”). Generally, the City seeks to avoid granting easements or other encroachments across the Canal unless no other viable access is available to a property. If an easement is granted, the City requires mitigation and public benefits. In this case, a property owner is seeking access across the Canal to connect with Bush Road, a County-maintained roadway. The property owner is seeking an easement to build a two-lane bridge to provide access to a planned residential subdivision. City staff has required the owner/developer to build a bridge across the Canal to ensure water flow is unimpeded and to provide clearance for future recreational navigation. In addition, the owner/developer will construct, operate, and maintain a public nature trail that travels along their frontage of the Canal for public recreation, and assume the Canal maintenance obligations for the segment adjoining their property. This will save the City maintenance staff time and funds. Thus, the City will receive public benefits in the form of a new nature trail and transferred maintenance obligations to the developer.

Approval