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Savannah council pauses zoning changes aimed at enabling small-scale affordable housing
Summary
Council heard hours of testimony about a package of zoning text amendments to permit limited density bonuses for covenanted affordable housing and directed staff to continue outreach; council agreed to revisit the proposal on Jan. 23, 2025.
Savannah City Council on Nov. 7 heard a lengthy public hearing on a package of targeted zoning text amendments intended to make it easier to build small-scale, covenanted affordable housing in traditional districts.
Metropolitan Planning Commission staff and city planners described changes to multiple code sections that would allow modest reductions in minimum lot area per dwelling unit and limited relaxations of setbacks or coverage in exchange for a covenant guaranteeing affordability. The package includes program elements staff said would return to MPC within 180 days: a formal definition of "affordable housing," a defined period of affordability, nomination of an ombudsman and a compliance-monitoring mechanism, plus an infill-development boundary to limit inappropriate rezoning.
Bridget Liddy, the city's director of planning and urban design, framed the amendments as a technical tool to enable "missing-middle" housing where neighborhood form and infrastructure can support it. Edward Morrow, MPC director, said staff and the planning commission recommended approval with the programmatic safeguards.
The hearing produced strong, mixed reactions. Reverend Chester Ellis urged delay, saying neighborhood leaders had not been properly consulted: "I came today to ask you to put this on hold," he said. Multiple neighborhood presidents and residents told council they feared incompatible plexes and insufficient outreach; Historic Savannah Foundation director Ellie Isaacs supported the goal but recommended close collaboration to ensure compatible design.
Several council members said they supported the objectives but wanted more targeted outreach and clearer implementation safeguards. Mayor Van Johnson emphasized the policy choice before the council: whether to prioritize more housing density as a route to affordability. After extended discussion, council voted to continue the matter to the second council meeting in January — set for Jan. 23, 2025 — to give staff time to meet with neighborhood presidents and refine program details.
Action: Council moved and passed a motion to continue consideration of the text amendments to Jan. 23, 2025. No ordinance was adopted at this meeting; the item will return for further review and potential revision.
