The Mayor & Aldermen approved this request at the January 3, 2019 City Council Regular Meeting.  The action being considered now is the approval of an ordinance for the amendment to the text of the Zoning Ordinance.

The City of Savannah, Petitioner (File No. 18-005534-ZA) is requesting approval to expand the boundaries of the Mid-City local historic district to the centerline of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Anderson Lane and Victory Drive, rezone properties within the expansion area to one of four Mid-City zoning districts, and amend the Mid-City District Ordinance (Article K) to reflect the expanded boundaries.

This is the first of two related agenda items. The next agenda item is for the rezoning of the properties within the expansion of the Mid-City District boundaries (File No. 18-005535-ZA).

The Mid-City Ordinance was adopted in 2005 as part of a rezoning of the entire neighborhood. The Mid-City Ordinance establishes zoning districts specific to the Mid-City district, outlines procedures for development approval, and contains design and general development standards. Additionally, the ordinance establishes the review process for issuing Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) for all alterations to existing buildings, new construction, and demolitions.

Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Montgomery Street are important north-south corridors, and in many ways serve as the western “gateway” into the downtown area. However, portions of these corridors are not currently within the boundaries of a local historic district and are thus located in a “gap area.” Over the years, the lack of historic protection and design standards has led to improper auto-oriented land uses and design along these streets. By expanding the Mid-City District to the west (to the centerline of MLK), the City of Savannah hopes to protect historic buildings, promote compatible land uses and urban design, and ultimately revitalize properties along these corridors.

On December 11, 2018, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the amendment.

Approval.