The Mayor and Aldermen approved this text amendment request following a zoning hearing at the February 1, 2018 City Council Meeting. The action being considered now is the approval of an ordinance (second reading) to create an overlay district (File No. 17-005888-ZA). The first reading occurred at the February 14, 2018 City Council Meeting.

The City of Savannah is proposing to amend the Zoning Map to create an overlay district known as the Hotel Development Overlay District. The proposed overlay is designed to define areas where hotels would and would not be permitted, and to identify areas where small and large hotels are appropriate. Stakeholders included the Downtown Neighborhood Association, Historic Savannah Foundation, and the Tourism/Hotel Industry.

The City of Savannah is also proposing to amend the Zoning Ordinance to create Article P Hotel Development Overlay District, along with cleaning up definitions and use standards for lodging establishments in Articles A and B. (File No. 17-005213-ZA).

On January 12, 2018, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the text amendment.

Approval