The Petitioner initially requested an amendment to the text of the Zoning Ordinance to permit and regulate the establishment of restaurants with ancillary alcohol sales for both on- and off-premises consumption in the TN-1 (Traditional Neighborhood-1) zoning district where restaurants are not currently permitted. The request supports a proposal to establish a restaurant and/or food-oriented retail business with ancillary alcohol sales at 17 W. Park Avenue. If all necessary approvals are obtained, the business would sell alcoholic beverages by the glass for on-premises consumption, and by the package for off-premises consumption. Under the TN-1 zoning district, on-premises consumption requires a separate Special Use Permit that has been filed concurrently with this Petition but requires approval of the present amendments to effectuate.

The petition included specific amendments to the following section of the Ordinance:

1. Section 5.4: Principle Use Table
2. Section 8.7.24: Accessory Alcohol Sales
3. Section 8.4.32: Commercial Use Standards for Limited and Special Uses - Restaurant

The TN-1 zoning district is intended for use only within the Victorian Historic Overlay District. The district is intended to ensure the vibrancy of historic residential neighborhoods with traditional development patterns characteristic of Savannah from approximately 1890 to 1920 during the streetcar era. While the district provides for primarily residential uses, it also includes limited non-residential uses that are considered compatible with the residential character of the neighborhood.

When the zoning text amendment was presented to the Planning Commission, they recommended rezoning the property to TC-2 (Traditional Commercial-2) rather than the requested text amendment and corresponding Special Use Permit. By rezoning to TC-2, the use “Retail consumption dealer (on premises consumption of alcohol)” in the form of “Accessory Alcohol Sales by the Drink in Association with a Restaurant” would be permitted by right. The use “Ancillary retail dealer (off-premises consumption of alcohol)” is also permitted by right in TC-2 zoning when it is associated with and accessory to a retail use as regulated by Sec. 8.7.2. 

On September 24, 2024, the Planning Commission recommended approval of a zoning map amendment for 17 West Park Avenue to TC-2 rather than the text amendment and Special Use Permit. The TC-2 zoning designation will allow for the accessory sales of beer and wine by the package (off-premises consumption) and accessory alcohol sales by the drink in association with a restaurant (on-premises consumption). If the rezoning is approved by City Council, the petitioner will also need to secure an Alcoholic Beverage License.