In August 2022, MPC staff received a petition to rezone a property zoned O-I and located on the edge of a residential area, to B-N for the purpose of opening a cafe. Upon further research, staff found that several zoning districts do not allow for small restaurants and cafes. The addition of this use to the district would fit the character of the neighborhood and further the goals of creating more walkable mixed-use communities for Savannah.

MPC staff initiated a petition to amend Section 5.4 (Base Zoning Districts) and Sec 8.4.32 (Restaurants) to allow the restaurant use in the O-I (Office Institutional), OI-E (Office Institutional Extension), and OI-T (Office Institutional-Transition) zoning districts as a limited use under certain conditions. During the Planning Commission meeting, the need for a Special Use Permit was approved due to concerns with on-site alcohol consumption. However, within the O-I, OI-E, and OI-T districts of the Zoning Ordinance, the retail consumption dealer (on premise consumption of alcohol) use already requires a Special Use Permit.

There have been a number of corridors in Savannah that were historically residential but transitioned to commercial over time, as well as boundary areas of fully residential districts. The O-I districts are intended to be transitional areas between fully commercial and fully residential districts. This makes them an ideal location for smaller restaurants and cafes, which would experience great use from those in the neighborhoods and working nearby.

On October 18, 2022, the Planning Commission recommended approving the proposed text amendment:

1. Section 5.4, Base Zoning Districts to permit restaurants in the O-I, OI-T and OI-E zoning districts as a Special Use Permit, and
2. Section 8.4.32 Restaurant to add conditions for the Special Use Permit for the restaurant use in the O-I, OI-T and OI-E zoning districts.

This recommendation includes the following conditions:

• Within the subject districts, restaurants shall be allowed within existing buildings only.
• Required parking shall be 5 spaces per thousand square feet for restaurants over 3,000 square feet in gross floor area.
• Drive-thru restaurants shall be prohibited.
• The hours of operation shall be limited to between 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m

Proposed additional language:

1. Section 5.4, Base Zoning Districts to permit restaurants in the O-I, OI-T and OI-E zoning districts as a limited use, and
2. Section 8.4.32 Restaurant to add these limited use conditions to the restaurant use in the O-I, OI-T and OI-E zoning districts:

• The use shall be prohibited in the Alcohol Density Overlay