The Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (CORE MPO), the transportation planning organization for the Savannah urbanized area, is requesting the public to review and provide comments on proposed amendments to the FY 2015 - 2018 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is the short-term programming document that lists transportation improvement projects to receive funding in the next four years. A report providing details of the proposed TIP amendments will be available for review by October 15 at the Chatham County public libraries and other public review agencies. The report is now available for review at the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) office and on the MPC website at http://www.thempc.org/transportation.htm. Any changes to the report will be posted on the website as well.

Written comments on the proposed TIP amendments will be accepted until close of business on October 29, 2014.  Please send your comments to Wykoda Wang, Metropolitan Planning Commission, 110 E. State Street, Savannah, GA 31401, or via email at wangw@thempc.org.
 
CORE MPO will host two public hearings for the proposed TIP amendments in October 2014 in conjunction with the CAC and CORE MPO Board meetings. Meeting times and locations are listed below:
 
CORE MPO Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting
October 16, 2014
5:00 p.m.
MPC Arthur A. Mendonsa Hearing Room
112 East State Street, Savannah, GA 31401
 
CORE MPO Board Meeting
October 29, 2014
10:00 a.m.
MPC Arthur A. Mendonsa Hearing Room
112 East State Street, Savannah, GA 31401
 
For a complete list of public review agencies or additional information regarding the proposed TIP amendments, please call (912) 651-1466.
 
 

View the latest DNA newsletter here.

PUBLIC SAFETY DOWNTOWN

The Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) launched it's "Lock It or Lose It" initiative. Lock It or Lose It is a public safety awareness campaign reminding residents and visitors to lock their vehicles and bicycles.

Residents should start to see the awareness signs placed throughout the downtown neighborhood. DNA Volunteers are going to door-to-door delivering a Public Safety Update to each mail slot.

Public Safety Update Flyers
Public Safety Committee volunteers are going door to door to deliver Downtown Savannah Public Safety Update flyers to each mail slot/box. Most will be delivered on Tuesday, Oct. 7 and Wednesday, Oct. 8. SCMPD officers have offered to accompany our volunteers as they deliver the flyers to greet neighbors. Please say hello if you see these volunteers on the streets!

Lock it or Lose it Signs
You should have already started to see these signs around the downtown neighborhood. More will be placed in tree lawns and high traffic areas to remind neighbors and visitors to lock it up!

If you notice a sign that has been damaged or needs some attention, email Crimewatch@SavannahDNA.org and a volunteer will come retrieve or replace the sign.

Nextdoor.com
DNA is pleased to partner with Nextdoor.com's online community where neighbors are currently sharing real-time crime and safety information. To connect, to our free, secure community, click here. Our community is known as "Savannah Historic District".

Short-Term Residential Rental UPDATE:

The Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA), together with the Tourism Leadership Council (TLC) has continued to have our dialog to discuss the concerns of both organizations related to short-term residential rentals and the proposed ordinance.

This letter shares our mutual declaration of support for the ordinance as written.

For questions about this, contact DNA Vice President, Melinda Allen.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association was recently contacted by a PhD student in the Architecture Program at Clemson University. She is doing her Thesis on development in downtown Savannah. She is seeking the help of residents through a very comprehensive survey. It takes about 15 minutes to complete and there is an additional opportunity for participation if you are interested! (Some of you are very knowledgeable and passionate about Savannah's architecture and economic development!)

If you have the time and interest, please consider taking the survey---- The DNA will receive a copy of the final reporting at the conclusion of the project which we will share here.
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From the Researcher:
The purpose of this study is to learn more about resident opinions of development in downtown Savannah, GA. Results of the survey will be used to help planners, economic development officials, and academic professionals to gain a better understanding of how to improve and better serve you and your community.

http://clemson.qualtrics.com//SE/?SID=SV...

DNA's follow up letter on Short-term residential rentals was delivered to the Mayor's and City Manager's offices today.

Download here: Downtown Neighborhood Assoc Follow up letter STRR - 9.15-2014.pdf

September 15, 2014

Mayor Edna B. Jackson
City Manager Stephanie Cutter
2 East Bay Street
Savannah, GA  31401

Mayor Jackson and City Manager Cutter,

As a follow up to our June 24, 2014 letter, the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) has continued to research what other cities across the nation have adopted in regards to short-term residential rentals (STRRs).  Attached is a synopsis of information that we feel will be helpful as you review and decide on the proposed ordinance.  We have included the original documentation as well, should you wish to review the data.  

As stated in our original letter, DNA will support the proposed ordinance with the following revisions:

Sec. 8-3205(a) Residential Use Standards

• 1.     Text should read PERSONS
• ·       The ordinance currently reads ADULTS, which makes it legal to have as many guests as you can fit under the age of 18, in addition to the 2 adults per bedroom plus 2.  
• 2.     The TOTAL OCCUPANCY should be limited to eight (8) people
• ·       If a property owner would like to rent to more than eight people, the business should be classified as an Inn and subject to all life safety regulations and management.
• 3.     DENSITY MANAGEMENT

Precedence of density measures in other cities:

• ·       Limit total number of certificates available for issue.
• ·       Limit to no more than one STRR per block face, which is the area between two parallel streets, the avenue and the lane.
• ·       Distance of 500 feet between STRRs.
• ·       Percentage of total residential property no greater than 5%. 

Please understand, the DNA is not suggesting a ban on STRRs, which many cities with a similar makeup to Savannah are pursuing or have done. What we are asking for is some measure of density control to mitigate the effects of STRRs in our historic Landmark District.  

We currently have wards that are greater than 50% STRRs.  In the Landmark Historic District alone city officials and industry professionals are estimating that there are several hundred STRRs.  The large and growing amount of these rental properties changes the neighborhood feel to an unmonitored hotel distributed across the city.  

In addition, a proliferation of STRRs removes much needed affordable housing as well as long-term rental housing and drives up prices for local residents looking to rent.  

Definition of “Owner Occupied”: 

An owner occupied property is one where the person providing a portion of their residing property parcel, such as a garden apartment or carriage house, for an STRR is a full time resident in another dwelling on that property parcel or directly adjacent to it.

Onsite Owners (“Owner Occupied”)

• ·       Onsite owners would be exempt from the certificate cap and/or other density controls, or have preferred status when applying for a certificate.

• DNA feels there should be special consideration for onsite owners who are full time residents of Savannah based on their Homestead Exemption status.

We are requesting the City complete a full review of the ordinance, and its impact, six months after it has been adopted.

The DNA encourages the City of Savannah to continue in this proactive and positive step that this ordinance takes to balance tourism with the preservation of the historic neighborhood fabric of the Landmark District, by developing a Tourism Master Plan.  Short-term residential rentals undoubtedly affect the essential character of a neighborhood and the stability of a community. Short-term tenants have little interest in public agencies or in the welfare of the citizenry. They are here today and gone tomorrow without engaging in any activities that weld and strengthen a community. DNA urges you to develop a plan that looks comprehensively at the nature of tourism in our city and its impact on the City of Savannah and the Landmark Historic District.

John Buckovich,                                                                                                                

President                                                                                                                             

Downtown Neighborhood Association 

                                                                  

Cc:            Savannah City Council Aldermen

Bridget Lidy, Director of Tourism Management, City of Savannah

                  Daniel Carey, Historic Savannah Foundation

                  Thomas L. Thomson, Metropolitan Planning Commission

                  Maurice Norman, President, Victorian Neighborhood Association

Update from City of Savannah Tourism Office on Short Term Residential Rentals • September 10, 2014 via email to DNA Vice President this evening:
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The number of short-term residential rentals, commonly referred to as vacation rentals, has grown within our community.  The City of Savannah will be proposing regulations to better manage this use during the Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2:00PM, City Council Chambers of City Hall.

The proposal includes a zoning text amendment defining short-term residential rentals, designating permitted zoning districts as well as establishing parking and occupancy standards.  A companion ordinance is also part of the regulation and will require property owners to obtain a short-term residential certificate ensuring guidelines are in place to protect our neighborhoods and provide fairness within the industry.

The Council agenda for September 18 will be posted on the City's website by Friday afternoon and will include a public hearing and first reading on the proposal.  It is anticipated that the October 2 Council meeting will have a second reading and Council vote.

Attached is a copy of the report from MPC pertaining to the zoning text amendment along with the proposed ordinance. [Go here to view/download http://www.savannahga.gov/index.aspx?NID=1476] Please note, modifications were made to the ordinance based on State Code [O.C.G.A. 36-35-6] which prohibits fines for ordinance violations in excess of $1,000.  These changes will assist with enforcement and provide the same penalties for lodging accommodation not in compliance with tax requirements.
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IMPORTANT IF YOU HAVE AN OPINION TO SHARE:
A drop in session has been scheduled for Friday, September 12, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Sub-basement of City Hall for individuals to meet with City staff on the short-term residential rental proposal.  
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The Downtown Neighborhood Association encourages downtown resident attendance at the City Council Meeting and Public Hearing on September 18th at 2 p.m. as well as this Friday's special drop in session from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Apologies for the short notice, but DNA was only notified of this opportunity this evening.)

Here are the various documents or go to: http://savannahga.gov/index.aspx?NID=1476
MPC Reccomendation: http://savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4516

Proposed ordinance outlining short-term residential rental certificate requirements & regulations  http://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4303

Proposed example of owner/occupant agreement to address quality of life concerns  http://savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4302

Proposed code compliance verification form  http://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4301

If you are unable to attend, email City Council. Contact information may be found here: http://savannahga.gov/index.aspx?NID=390

A public hearing will be held at the regular meeting of City Council, on Thursday, September 18 at 2PM in Council Chambers of City Hall for MPC’s zoning text amendment recommendation and the proposed ordinance regulating short-term residential rentals. 

Listed below are the components of the short-term residential rental efforts:

• MPC's recommendation for a zoning amendment establishing a short-term residential rental use
• Proposed ordinance outlining short-term residential rental certificate requirements & regulations as of June 12, 2014
• Proposed example of owner/occupant agreement to address quality of life concerns as of June 12, 2014
• Proposed code compliance verification form as of June 12, 2014

Additional information on compliance is listed below:

• Business Acceptance Application
• Business Tax Certificate
• Hotel Motel Tax Collection Form
• Article E: Hotel/Motel Tax

Click here to read DNA'S position on Short-term residential rentals.

Have an opinion? Write to City Council. Click here for contact information. Please attend the Public Hearing on Thursday, September 18 at 2 p.m. if you are able.

Gather your neighbors and head over to Revival Fest at the Georgia State Railroad Museum on Saturday, September 20th!

Downtown Neighborhood Association members receive 20% off of General Admission tickets by entering the code: DNA when they check out online:
http://www.revivalfest.org/tickets/

Revival Fest takes place Saturday, September 20th and features the best in Southern Music including 14 bands from 7 southern states and featuring Savannah local bands Waits & Co, Velvet Caravan and Sweet Thunder Strolling Band.

• -Broad mix of Blues, Bluegrass, Americana, Folk, New Orleans style Brass, Southern Rock and more...
• -Roberto Leoci's new restaurant Pacci, is doing a Pig Roast at the festival as well as hosting a VIP Event and private concert the night before the festival on September 19 at The Brice Hotel.
• -Kids under 10 are free
• -The festival runs from noon until 11pm. Re-entry is allowed
• -No coolers but plenty of food and beverages available. Lawn chairs and blankets are aok.
• -Featuring local craft brews from Southbound, Service Brewing and more...(old school coca-cola in glass bottles as well as other non-alcoholic drinks)
• -Signature Revival Fest Bourbon Cocktails from Ampersand
• -Local art and artisan vendor booths at the Revival Fest Marketplace
• -On site T-shirt and poster printing
• -Art Rise Savannah will be doing spin art on old vinyl records
• -Valet Bike service from Savannah Bike Campaign
• -Parking at the Esther F. Garrison School of Visual & Performing Arts 649 West Jones Street Savannah, GA 31401
• -Event takes place in the old Paint Shops at the Georgia State Railroad Museum, and adjoining grove.

Residents can provide input on Grayson Stadium, the Savannah Sand Gnats and the prospect of a new multi-purpose stadium downtown as part of an online survey launched today. The survey was created by C.H. Johnson Consulting as part of a study the company has been contracted to complete exploring the feasibility of a new multi-purpose stadium downtown. Take Survey Here