The Petitioner is requesting a Special Use Permit to establish a craft distillery use within an existing microbrewery and restaurant at 12 W. 41st Street. A craft distillery is defined as a facility that produces and distributes not more than 40,000 gallons of distilled spirits per year in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. Within the TC-1 (Traditional Commercial-1) zoning district, a Special Use Permit is required for this use.

The subject property consists of three units within a two-story commercial condominium with a 2,687 square foot footprint and is currently occupied by Two Tides Brewery. The structure is part of the “Starland District” commercial complex located with the Streetcar Historic District. In 2017, a Special Use Permit was issued by the City of Savannah Zoning Board of Appeals to establish a microbrewery at this location (File No. 17-003114-ZBA). The Special Use Permit process includes review by the Planning Commission and the City Council. Should the request be approved by the City Council, approval and issuance of other State and local licenses will still be required to establish the use. The scope of the present review includes only those criteria established by the Zoning Ordinance regarding appropriateness of the use at the requested location.

On January 5, 2024, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Special Use Permit to establish a craft distillery at 12 West 41st Street. 

The City of Savannah is adding the condition that the Special Use Permit shall be non-transferable.