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Savannah staff advance archaeology ordinance proposal after National Park Service concern
Summary
Planning Director Bridget Lidy presented a proposed archaeology ordinance after the National Park Service downgraded Savannah’s status to 'threatened.' The proposal would require three-phase assessments for certain public projects, restrict unpermitted metal-detector use on public property, and establish a committee to study impacts in early 2020.
Bridget Lidy, Director of Planning and Urban Design, briefed the City Council on a proposed archaeology ordinance at the Dec. 5, 2019 workshop, saying the National Park Service recommended adopting an ordinance after changing Savannah’s status from “satisfactory” to “threatened.”
Lidy defined archaeology as the scientific recovery and analysis of material remains and described public engagement the planning team conducted, including surveys and Metropolitan Planning Commission outreach. Survey responses showed a majority favor an archaeological ordinance, she said.
The draft ordinance would apply to certain public-property projects and require a three-phase Archaeology Assessment; it would exclude small projects with building footprints under 1,500 square feet and would not apply to routine renovation of the city’s historic squares. The proposal also restricts metal-detector activity on public property without a permit from the City Manager or designee; Lidy emphasized that the restriction is for public property and staff have engaged private-property stakeholders during outreach.
Council members raised concerns. Alderman Brian Foster asked for a timeline for the committee that would guide implementation; Lidy said the goal is to form a committee in the first quarter of next year. Alderman Julian Miller pressed on the metal-detector restriction and on whether private-property activities would be affected; Lidy said staff have included private-property stakeholders in the conversation and that permits are required only for public-property activity. No ordinance vote occurred at the workshop; staff indicated they will continue outreach and an incremental approach to a more robust ordinance.
