The petitioner, Harold Yellin for Savannah College of Art Design (SCAD), through three petitions, originally requested to rezone to P-RIP-D (Planned Residential – Medium Density) 14 properties between Victory, Bull, 44th, and Montgomery streets that are currently located within varying zoning districts. The petitioner had requested that these properties be rezoned to the RIP-D Zoning District because it is one of only two Zoning Districts that permit residential dormitories, the applicant's intended use. 

MPC staff found that due to the scale of the project, a more feasible alternative would be to include all the properties submitted for rezoning into the Mid-City District and propose amendments relevant to certain properties but not Mid-City District at large.

If the Planning Commission's alternative zoning district and text amendment -- located in the previous two agenda items -- are approved, the petitioner has indicated that the three original petitions will be withdrawn. Approval of this item would withdraw those original petitions.

The intent of these original rezoning requests (File Nos. 18-004742-ZA, 18-004740-ZA, and 18-005020-ZA) is to provide an avenue for the development of residence halls, a structured parking facility, and other uses associated with SCAD. However, the project in the requested P-RIP-D Zoning District is deficient in many ways from the standpoint of meeting the development standards that would be applied to a new use today. 

The RIP-D Zoning District, by definition, requires that when it is established outside the Savannah Historic District, the rezoning request be accompanied by a General Development Plan. This is due to the fact that RIP-D was designed as a downtown district, and therefore the standards would be addressed through the criteria of the preservation ordinance. Although the current light industrial zoning in particular on the south side of the property is incompatible, the proposed district does not appear to be appropriate either. The petitioner has submitted a development plan in conjunction with this zoning request. The attached plan includes two buildings designed to serve as dormitories and a parking garage.

Involved properties, by original File No., include:

File No. 18-004740-ZA: 1 W Victory Dr (PIN: 2-0074-26-006), owned by Savannah College of Art and Design, from P-RIP-B* (Planned Residential - Medium Density - Site Plan Specific). The property is developed with a multifamily residential use and with ancillary commercial. This property was rezoned by request of the original developer to the P-RIP-B zoning classification in 2007 and was subsequently redeveloped in accordance with the site plan that was approved with the zoning. The petitioner intends to operate the existing multifamily residential building as a residence hall for the Savannah College of Art and Design students.

File No. 18-004742-ZA: 203, 221, 227, 301, 303 West Victory Drive; 202, 208, 210, 212, 214 & 322 West 44th Street (PINs: 2-0074-27-004; -005; -007; --008; -009; - 010; -011; -012; -013; -014; -015; and -016), owned by William and Emma Simon; LGB North 44th Street, LLC, from R-B (Residential – Business), B-N (Neighborhood Business), I-L (Light Industrial), and BC (Community Business).  There are a variety of residential, institutional and commercial structures currently on these properties. The developed properties that abut 44th Street are residential. The petitioner intends to redevelop these properties into additional residence halls and a structured parking facility.

File No. 18-005020-ZA: 2714 Montgomery Street (PIN: 2-0074-27-021), owned by Jay Jalaram, from B-C (Community Business) and B-N (Neighborhood - Business). The petitioner is requesting to rezone property that is currently developed with a number of commercial uses so that it can be developed into a residence hall.

Approval of the withdrawal, if the Planning Commission's alternative zoning district and text amendment are approved.