The proposed zoning text amendment for short-term residential rentals will be presented to the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) on Tuesday, August 5, 1:30PM during their regularly scheduled meeting. Visit the MPC website http://thempc.org/Administrative/Archive/2014agenda.htm for the agenda which will be posted on Friday, August 1.
 
Once MPC has made their recommendation, the zoning text amendment will be advertised for 15 days prior to being heard by City Council.  The goal is to present both the zoning text amendment and proposed short-term residential rental ordinance to City Council after this has occurred.

The introduction of National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime”, in 1984 began an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

I encourage all residents of the Landmark District to join the over 37.8 million neighbors across 16,124 communities in celebration of the 31st annual National Night Out scheduled for Tuesday August 5, 2014.
 
Participation is easy!
 
You can show your support of this event by leaving your porch lights on during the evening of August 5.  It’s something every resident of the Landmark District can do to discourage crime not just on National Night Out but every night.

Sincerely,
John Buckovich
Downtown Neighborhood Association President
and Downtown Neighborhood Association Board of Directors

Savannah Children's Choir End of Camp Concert
Friday, July 25
7pm
The Lucas Theatre
Tickets available at the door.

• This concert is sponsored by the Downtown Neighborhood Association •

Enjoy the end of camp concert from the Savannah Children’s Choir, an auditioned community choir with a mission of uniting Savannah’s children through the power of song.

There is a $5 minimum suggested donation for entry to this event. The box office will open at 6PM before the show.

July 2014
 
The Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (CORE MPO), the transportation planning agency for the Savannah urbanized area, is requesting the public to review and provide comments on a report titled: Draft FY 2015 - 2018 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The draft report includes descriptions of highway, transit, transportation enhancement, as well as other multi-modal projects in the Savannah area programmed to receive funds in fiscal years 2015 to 2018. This notice also serves as the public notice for Chatham Area Transit Authority’s (CAT’s) federal grant projects. Copies of the draft TIP are available for review at the Chatham County public libraries, the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) office, the MPC website at http://www.thempc.org/transportation.htm, and other public review agencies.
 
The comment period will start on July 23, 2014 and written comments on the Draft TIP will be accepted until the close of business on August 26, 2014. Please send your comments to Wykoda Wang, Metropolitan Planning Commission, 110 E. State Street, Savannah, GA 31401, via email at wangw@thempc.org, or through the MPC website at http://www.thempc.org/Transportation/Get_Involved.htm. Any updates to the draft document will be posted to the MPO website at http://www.thempc.org/transportation.htm.
 
CORE MPO will host two public hearings to answer questions and accept comments on the draft TIP in conjunction with the August 2014 Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and CORE MPO Board meetings. Meeting times and locations are listed below.
 
CORE MPO Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting
Thursday, August 21, 2013
5:00 p.m.
MPC Arthur A. Mendonsa Hearing Room
112 East State Street, Savannah, GA 31401
 
 
CORE MPO Board Meeting
Wednesday, August 27, 2013
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, additional information regarding the draft TIP, and information regarding the public hearings, please call (912) 651-1466.
 
 
 

The City of Savannah Public Information Office released the following today from Mayor Edna Jackson.

Download here.

http://reclaimingoldwestbroad.org/

The City of Savannah sent a letter to all residential decal holders to gather input for expanding the residential parking perimeters. There is an addressed/stamped envelope enclosure. DNA encourages decal holders to complete the brief survey and share their opinions with the City. This survey is not online (as of this posting). If you did not receive one and you are a decal holder in good standing or have a question about the survey, you may contact Dominic Ross, Mobility and Parking Services Analyst at 912.525.3100 x1513 or email Dross@SavannahGA.gov.

June 24, 2014

 

Mayor Edna Jackson, Aldermen and City Manager Stephanie Cutter:

 

Across the country cities are dealing with the quality of life issues associated with the rise of short-term rentals.  The issues associated with the increased use of residential properties for tourism related business, are significant.  In a recent Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) membership meeting, residents voiced numerous concerns about trash, noise, disorderly behavior, parking and the inability to enjoy their property because of these issues. 

 

The DNA is encouraged that the City of Savannah is taking a proactive step in confronting the issues associated with the rise of these properties in Savannah. We support the ordinance as written, with one suggested change: total occupancy should be limited to 8 people.  If a property owner wants to rent to more than 8 people, they should be classified as an Inn and subject to all life safety regulations.  We are requesting that the City complete a full review of this ordinance, and its impact, six months after it has been adopted. In addition, we recommend a moratorium on additional licenses being issued until the completion of that report.   

 

The DNA believes strongly in the value of owner-occupied property and that it should be encouraged. We recommend exploring a modification to the proposed zoning language and ordinance that provides for either:

• a.     An expansion of the existing definition of B&B Guest Units to allow for up to three rooms on a property.
• b.     A separate (fifth) category of lodging use specifically defined for owner-occupied parcels from two to three rooms.

In either case, this could coincide with a Homestead Exemption. Also, the definition should be by parcel, not by unit, such that if an owner lives on a parcel with a separate carriage house or apartment, that does not count against them. As long as the owner lives on the property and is available to respond to neighbors and any issues that come up, we support allowing more flexibility.

 

The business use of these residential properties has created parking issues for many residents. Specific relief for parking issues should be undertaken immediately and not wait for the completion of current or future studies. For example, the city needs to work quickly to adjust street sweeping days so that downtown streets are available on the weekends when demand is heaviest.

 

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 and neighborhood fabric of the Landmark District, by developing a Tourism Master Plan. We urge 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

 

  

Short-term Vacation Rentals Public Meetings
The following documents were presented at the public meeting held on June 12 focusing on short-term residential rentals in Savannah. 

• Proposed zoning amendment
• Proposed ordinance outlining short-term residential rental certificate requirements & regulations
• Proposed example of owner/occupant agreement to address quality of life concerns
• Proposed code compliance verification form
• Presentation
  

The next public meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 4:00PM at the Metropolitan Planning Commission.

DNA will host a members only meeting on Wednesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. on this topic at the Coastal Georgia Center.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 5, 2014

Public invited to attend upcoming meetings on short-term residential rentals

The City of Savannah and Metropolitan Planning Commission will hold two public meetings on short-term residential rentals in order to obtain additional feedback from the community. Both sessions will be held at the MPC at 112 East State Street on the following dates:

· Thursday, June 12 at 10 a.m.
· Tuesday, June 17 at 4 p.m.

These meetings are being held in preparation for a future Council workshop.

As a popular destination, Savannah attracts visitors from around the world who prefer a home-like setting for their stay. As a result, Savannah has seen an increase in the number of people who wish to operate short-term residential rentals. This has led the City to evaluate how such uses are regulated, specifically addressing issues such as zoning, revenue, life-safety and building code compliance, and maintaining neighborhood quality.

City of Savannah and MPC staff have been in the process developing a strategy to address the issue of short-term residential units which are defined as the rental of a residence to travelers for less than 30 days. Discussion has also included the rental of individual bedrooms in an owner-occupied residence to travelers for less than 30 days.

A small group of owners, operators, residents, and tourism officials have joined City and MPC staff to review each of these areas and suggest changes that seek to balance the needs and desires of all interested parties. This process has resulted in a draft ordinance and zoning text amendment, which the City and MPC is now seeking public comment on.