NEWS - Construction & Building

Aug 8, 2011 – If you missed the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Open House last week to ask questions or make comments about the new Unified Zoning Ordinance under development for more than four years, there are two more opportunities this week

MPC planners will host another Open House at the MPC’s office tonight, Aug. 8, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in the Arthur Mendonsa Room, 112 E. State Street.

And, planners will also attend the Legacy Square Neighborhood Association meeting Thursday night, Aug. 11, at the Pavilion at the entrance to Berwick neighborhood from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Metropolitan Planning Commission released the Unified Zoning Ordinance (UZO) draft on June 28 that includes the new, proposed zoning map. The UZO is an updated and unified zoning ordinance and zoning map for the city of Savannah and unincorporated Chatham County.

Savannah and Chatham County have individual zoning ordinances that were adopted in the early 1960s. Neither ordinance has been updated since their initial adoption but each has been amended numerous times which has led to contradictions, formatting and process issues, and over 125 zoning districts (many of which are redundant), according to Tom Thompson, MPC executive director. “To address these issues, modernize the zoning ordinance and to achieve consistency with the Unified Comprehensive Plan, an updated zoning ordinance is necessary.”

“More than four years of work has culminated in a draft ordinance and zoning map that will be available for review and public comment from June 28 thru September 30 of this year. After the comment period, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the city of Savannah Mayor and Aldermen and the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, who are responsible for adoption of a new ordinance and map.

The UZO draft can be read at www.unifiedzoning.org. or by visiting the MPC offices at 110 E. State Street between 8:30am-5:00pm. A hard copy is also available at local libraries. The public can see existing and proposed zoning districts for any property in Savannah or unincorporated Chatham County, by using the UZOOM (UZO Online Mapping) tool at www.unifiedzoning.org.

UZOOM allows readers to compare existing and proposed zoning districts, including allowable uses and development standards.

For additional information on any of the meetings, contact Jack Butler, Comprehensive Planner, Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission at 912-651-1478.