Whether it’s a building’s historic status, a city’s right to set building standards, or a person’s ability to drink green beer outdoors, our community’s future is continuously up for debate. Check out the latest Week Ahead column to see what’s on the agenda.
Stay Engaged Savannah,
The Pooler City Council is meeting Tuesday
The agenda includes consideration of a height variance for a proposed Element hotel at 115 Towne Center. The 2’-7” height variance will allow for an architectural tower feature with a height of 62’-7”, according to the applicant, Roy Patel.
The council will consider a request to construct a trailer parking yard with about 106 parking spaces within the Wynn-Capallo planned development. The lot will be enclosed with a security fence and the frontage along Jimmy DeLoach Parkway will be landscaped with a 4-foot berm and trees, according to the staff report
In addition, the council will consider the site and landscaping plan for a planned 20,254-square-foot office building on Holmes Court off Blue Moon Crossing.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of all three highlighted projects.
The Savannah Airport Commission is meeting Wednesday
The agenda includes consideration of a $91,349 contribution towards an advertising campaign in New Haven, CT, to promote nonstop service on Avelo Airlines, as it enters its second year serving Savannah.
The Savannah Historic District Board of Review is meeting Wednesday
The agenda includes the city’s proposed rehabilitation of the historic Gamble building next to City Hall, as part of a plan to once again use the building for employee offices. Built in 1877, the city had vacated the building in recent years as part of the past administration’s plan to sell the property. Preferring to retain ownership, the current council abandoned that plan after a previously approved sales agreement fell through. The rehab plans come after the city council’s approval in December of a $960,833 contract with Johnson-Laux Construction for interior demolition work.
Old Town Trolley’s new plans
The board will also consider alterations proposed for the Old Town Trolley building at 250 Martin Luther King. Jr. Boulevard. The non-historic building was constructed in the mid-1970s and was formerly used as a Dairy Queen Restaurant. In addition to the alterations to the building, the trolley company is planning to convert a former garage building next door into a restaurant and bar with retail space and a museum, as previously reported in February.
Another brick in the wall
In addition, repairs are proposed for the deteriorating historic brick wall at 21 West York St., part of a 2-story building that served commercial and residential functions since it was constructed in the late 19th century.
The wall is notable for the historic painted signs painted over the bricks and the proposed repairs include measures to preserve those signs while also using appropriate materials to match the wall’s historic mortar and bricks. The Wright Square Bistro currently operates out of the building.
The Tybee Island City Council is meeting Thursday
The agenda includes consideration of a resolution opposing House Bill 517, proposed state legislation that prohibits local governments from regulating elements of housing design. The resolution states that the city has important local requirements unique to Tybee that should not be preempted. Macon Rep. Dale Washburn, who introduced the bill, said the legislation will make new houses more affordable for first-time buyers, as reported by the Georgia Recorder.
The Savannah City Council is meeting Thursday
The agenda includes consideration of a petition to change the status of 301 Alice St. from a contributing to a non-contributing structure in the downtown Historic District. The owner is seeking to remove the building’s protected historic designation so that the early-1950s-era structure can be demolished and replaced with single-family housing, as previously reported in January. On Feb. 8, the Historic District Board of Review recommended approval of the request to remove the building’s contributing status.
Prepping for St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans
The city council will also consider the enactment of the St. Patrick’s Day festival zone on March 17 and March 18. The city will be retaining the expanded festival zone established last year, which runs from River Street to Victory Drive, as reported by the Savannah Morning News. A workshop is also scheduled prior to the meeting at 12 p.m. to discuss St. Patrick’s Day plans.
Savannah Agenda is on the agenda
Thanks to your contributions to Savannah Agenda’s fundraising campaign, a $3,000 check will be presented to the city on Thursday for affordable housing initiatives. Read more>
The Chatham County Commission is meeting Friday
The agenda is now available to view (added Wednesday morning).
#StayEngagedSavannah
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