By Eric Curl
Dec. 16, 2024 – The upcoming Savannah City Council meeting on Thursday includes proposals aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding affordable housing, and expanding city boundaries.
Stormwater Utility Enterprise Fund
One key agenda item is the adoption of a Stormwater Utility Enterprise Fund Ordinance. The ordinance aims to establish a reliable future revenue source for stormwater infrastructure maintenance. Implementation of the fund will enable the city to transition the from a governmental fund type activity to a business fund type activity whereby expenses are tracked and revenues directed soley to the Stormwater Department similar to the City Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund, according to the staff report.
More Details: Stormwater Utility Enterprise Fund Staff Report
Annexation of 668 Acres Near Little Neck Road
The city council will also consider an annexation petition for two parcels totaling about 668 acres near the intersection of Little Neck Road and Bush Road.
The annexation represents a significant expansion into West Chatham County, an area experiencing rapid growth. The proposal comes after the city council approved an intergovernmental agreement on Nov. 26 for joint improvements to Little Neck Road, with subsequent approval from the Chatham County Commissioners on Dec. 6.
Chatham County Commissioners previously opposed the annexation when the petitioner planned to rezone the site for light industrial use. The new plan is a residential development, but the county also claimed the annexation would be illegal because it would form an unincorporated county “island” in an opposition letter sent to the city. The county has not responded to multiple requests for clarification regarding the legality of the annexation, following the commission’s approval of the intergovernmental agreement. Per the terms of the agreement, the city council will pay half of the anticipated $20 million cost of widening Little Neck Road from two lanes to four up to Interstate 95. Once those improvements are completed, the city will maintain the roadway and right of ways along that corridor.
Unlike the county, the city did respond to the inquiry, stating that I would need to speak with the county concerning their claims around this annexation.
“City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the County to annex the land on Little Neck Road in compliance with the procedures and requirements of Georgia Law. As a primary utility provider, the City is better posed to support the planned residential development which will increase revenue for both municipalities and support the joint effort to increase housing density,” the city statement said.
“I’m still working on an answer on the Little Neck Road annexation question,” said Chatham County’s Assistant Director of Public Information Will Peebles on Dec. 5.
This article will be updated when a response is received.
More Details: Annexation Staff Report | SavannahAgenda.com Article
Affordable Housing Initiative at 916 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
In addition, the city council will consider authorizing the transfer of four city-owned lots and the use of up to $5.5 million from the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF). This funding will support the development of:
- 16 affordable 2-bedroom apartments.
- A supportive services facility designed for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, exiting homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless due to rising housing costs.
The lots include one with frontage at 916 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and others on West Waldburg Street and West Bolton Street. The project aims to provide:
- Permanent housing solutions for vulnerable populations.
- Supportive services such as job placement, mental health support, and case management.
The initiative is part of the city’s broader Housing Savannah Action Plan, which seeks to increase housing availability, accessibility, and affordability for all residents.
More Details: Affordable Housing Staff Report
You can see who else is meeting and what is on the agenda at Savannah Agenda’s Meeting Agenda’s page.
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