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Savannah officials hear presentation on Eastern Wharf Planned Development; petitioner seeks return July 9
Summary
At a June 25 Savannah work session, attorneys and planners presented proposed amendments to the Eastern Wharf Planned Development, outlining building heights, riverfront views and affordability concerns; the petitioner asked to return to council on July 9 to re-present a previously tabled petition.
Mayor Van R. Johnson II convened the Savannah City Council work session on June 25, 2020, where attorneys and planning staff presented proposed amendments to the General Development Standards for the Eastern Wharf Planned Development.
Attorney Harold Yellin of Hunter MacLean led the presentation, accompanied by Project Architect Mark Blair and Metropolitan Planning Commission staff Melanie Wilson (Executive Director) and Marcus Lotson. Yellin outlined the petitioned changes to the planned unit development, and Blair described the character, unit types, proposed heights, and anticipated riverfront views and effects on the skyline.
Yellin said the petitioner seeks to return to City Council at the next meeting, on July 9, to re-introduce a petition that council had previously tabled. Mayor Johnson noted the development presents an opportunity for the city to realize increased tax revenue.
Councillors and staff questioned and discussed several substantive issues raised during the presentation, including how the amendments might affect affordability, whether federal Opportunity Zone incentives apply, and how the changes would shape future land development along the riverfront. No formal vote or council action on the petition was taken during the work session; Yellin’s request to return was made for council consideration at a later date.
The City Manager’s office and MPC staff provided the technical and planning background during the discussion and indicated additional details and slides were available to councilmembers for follow-up. The next scheduled council meeting is July 9, when the petition was requested to be reintroduced.
