Good morning,
Development impact fees, private clubs, parking garages, corner stores, converted hotels and resurrected construction projects, along with the latest airport news thrown in for good measure. Welcome to this week’s Sunday Summary. It’s good to be writing again after being sidelined by Covid for a bit. I haven’t been emailing out each story individually because I didn’t want to bombard your inbox. Instead, you’ll find them compiled below. (Let me know if you’re one of the rare people who feel they just don’t have enough emails to read and would prefer to be notified immediately for each story.) Also, if you haven’t yet, please consider contributing to the affordable housing campaign at the end of this email. Stay safe and thanks for staying engaged Savannah.
The latest
Savannah impact fee report lays out max fee amounts, eligible projects and potential exemptions
The city would be permitted to charge developers up to $5,545 per single-family home and up to $5,430 per apartment unit under a impact fee ordinance, according to a report presented to the Savannah City Council last month.
The one-time impact fee charged for new land developments is being looked at as a way to defray costs of expanding public facilities needed to serve new growth, but the proposal raised concerns among some council members about the fees being passed onto home buyers and renters – something the consulting firm’s representative, Bill Ross, said is typically the case.
“There is not a community in the state of Georgia in which the builders do not pass that fee on to the purchaser,” Ross said. “Sometimes it’s even spelled out in the closing statement.”
Seven-story building may rise above Moon River Brewing
After initially being proposed about four years ago, an approved plan to construct a 7-story building at 2 Whitaker St. has resurfaced. The proposed building site is located at Whitaker and Bay where Moon River Brewing Company’s outdoor dining area and bar is located. The beer garden and bar – a one story structure approved by HDBR about 10 years ago – will be demolished as part of the project. There’s also a catwalk to nowhere behind the brewery that may also be coming down.
Private club with members’ lodging, restaurant proposed for 32nd & Habersham
Former state representative Craig Gordon plans to construct a 3-story mixed-use building next to Tacos + Tequila on the southwest corner of Habersham and 32nd, where the restaurant currently leases space for parking.
The proposed building would include a private club with a restaurant for special events, meeting space and 11 single-occupancy rooms for club members or their visitors to stay overnight.
Parking garage proposed for parking lot next to Savannah City Market, Club One
A parking garage will replace a parking lot with retail on the ground level under a plan recently submitted to the Historic District Board of Review.
The 5-story garage is proposed to be built on the lot between the Hilton Garden Inn (next to Club One) and City Market (Vinnie Van GoGo’s side) with Jefferson and Montgomery on the east and west sides.
Savannah hotel conversion comes amid city’s increasing housing needs
With a new name and new floral-themed mural, a former Homewood Suites on White Bluff Road is on its way to serving Savannah’s residents rather than visitors.
A site plan was recently submitted to convert the 102-room hotel into an 102-unit apartment building, following the city council’s vote to rezone the site for residential use in January. Unfortunately, the unit rates are not quite as low as the developer indicated they would be during the city council meeting.
Rehab proposed for two historic Savannah corner stores
The Historic Preservation Commission considered two separate proposals last month to restore historic corner store buildings that once operated as neighborhood businesses. One of the proposals was approved, while another was continued to give the applicant time to make some recommended design changes.
Breeze Airways delays start of Savannah-Los Angeles flights
Savannah’s budding movie stars can still pursue their dream in Los Angeles, they will just have to wait a bit longer if they want to wake up in the City of Angels without a layover in between.
Breeze Airways recently delayed plans to implement nonstop flights from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a service priority of airport officials.
The postponement comes after about $25,000 was spent on marketing efforts concerning the L.A. service, according to airport officials who discussed the issue during last week’s Savannah Airport Commission meeting.
Upcoming Meetings (a busy Wednesday this week)
Chatham County Board of Elections – July 11
Housing Authority of Savannah – July 13
Savannah-Chatham County school board – July 13
Savannah Historic District review board – July 13
Savannah City Council – July 14
Support Savannah Agenda’s Affordable Housing Campaign
#StayEngagedSavannah