This is the first of four related petitions on the agenda regarding 10614 and 10816 Middleground Road:

• Zoning Hearings:

  • Motion to Deny the Request to Amend the Future Land Use Category from General Residential to Commercial Neighborhood or Civic/Institutional (File No. 19-006134-CPA);

  • Motion to Deny the Requst to Rezone from the RMF-2-10 Zoning District to the RMF-2-25 Zoning District and the O-I (Office and Institutional) Zoning District (File No. 19-006079-ZA);

  • Motion to Approve the Planning Commission's Alternative Recommendation to Rezone to the RMF-2-25 (Multi-Family Residential – 25 units per gross acre) Zoning District.

• First and Second Readings:

  • Motion to Approve the Planning Commission's Alternative Recommendation to Rezone to the RMF-2-25 (Multi-Family Residential – 25 units per gross acre) Zoning District.

Attorney Harold Yellin as agent for Gail Waters, Owner (File No. 19-006079-ZA) is requesting approval to rezone (map amendment) 10614 and 10816 Middleground Road (PINs 20752 01007 and 20752 01008)to rezone the properties from RMF-2-10 (Residential Multi-family 10 units per gross acre) to RMF-2-25 (Residential Multi-family 25 units per gross acre) and O-I (Office Institutional).  If approved, the Future Land Use Category on the Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use Map will need to be changed.

On December 10, 2019, the Planning Commission voted to recommend:

1. Denial of the petitioner’s request to rezone the southern 1.8-acre portion of the combined area of both parcels identified as PIN 20752 01007 and 20752 01008 from the RMF-2-10 Zoning District to the O-I Zoning District.  In doing so, they also recommend denial of amending the Future Land Use Category from General Residential to Commercial Neighborhood or Civic/Institutional;

2. Approval of rezoning both parcels identified as PIN 20752-01007 and 20752-01008 from the RMF-2-10 Zoning District to the RMF-2-25 (Residential-Multifamily - 25 units per gross acre) Zoning District

The properties are currently occupied by three single family structures and will have a cumulative area of 3.67 acres.  The subject properties were rezoned to RMF-2-10 in conjunction with the approval of NEWZO in 2019.

The proposed O-I district on the southern 1.8-acre portion of the petitioned site is not consistent with the General Residential Future Land Use Map designation and is not compatible with the existing residential land uses adjacent to the subject site or the residential uses located in the immediate and general area.  The intent of the O-1 district as defined in the Savannah Zoning Regulations, Section 5.15.1b., “The O-I district is intended to be located in close proximity to nonresidential districts and may be used as a transition between such uses and residential districts.”  The subject site is not adjacent to or in close proximity to existing non-residential uses and does not meet the intent of the requested O-I zoning district.  The introduction of a commercial zoning district at this location would be inappropriate.

The proposed RMF-2-25 district on the northern 1.9-acre portion of the petitioned site is consistent with the General Residential Future Land Use Map designation and is compatible with the general development pattern in the area.  Also, the requested density would allow for additional multi-family units which would help meet the housing demand without adversely impacting the existing residential developments located in the immediate and general vicinity.

Denial of the Request to Amend the Future Land Use Category from General Residential to Commercial Neighborhood or Civic/Institutional.