Exciting Housing Changes on the Horizon for Savannah

Exciting Housing Changes on the Horizon for Savannah

In the heart of Savannah, where Habersham and East 33rd streets meet, there’s a bit of buzz in the air regarding the future of housing. A row of cozy multi-family homes, sitting snugly on 2,500-square-foot lots, might unexpectedly find themselves in the limelight. Why, you ask? Well, those homes couldn’t be replicated under today’s city zoning laws, which set strict minimum area-per-unit guidelines. This policy has effectively snuffed out the possibility of “varying density” housing types in many of Savannah’s bustling neighborhoods.

A Proposed Zoning Change Could Make a Difference

But here’s the silver lining: there’s a proposed zoning text amendment that’s got a chance to change all that! This amendment is slated for an upcoming vote by the Savannah City Council, representing potentially the first big test of the current council’s housing policies. Just last week, the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission gave the green light on the proposal, sending it forward to the council. City Manager Jay Melder underlined the importance of the measure at a recent meeting, saying, “This is a tool in the toolbox, and I think an important one.”

Addressing the Housing Shortage

The urgency for this proposed reform couldn’t be more pronounced. Currently, Chatham County is facing a staggering >10,000-unit housing shortage, posing enormous challenges to locals seeking affordable living options. In light of this pressing issue, housing advocates are fervently seeking solutions to boost the available housing supply.

Support for the proposal has also poured in from various community groups, including the Live Oak and Victorian Neighborhood Associations, as well as Historic Savannah Foundation, YIMBY Savannah, and Housing Savannah Inc. They believe this amendment signifies a thoughtful leap towards enhancing housing availability. In a letter of support, the Executive Director of Housing Savannah, Laura Lane McKinnon, mentioned it as “a forward-thinking policy that lays the foundation for future zoning reforms to increase housing options.”

Understanding the Amendment’s Impact

Under the current zoning code, the restrictions hinge on the size of a lot per housing unit, which means that a resident with a 30-foot-wide lot is unable to construct a duplex due to existing zoning regulations. However, if this amendment passes, those regulations would flip on their heads! It would pave the way for homeowners to develop duplexes, provided that one of the units is offered at an affordable rate. This concept is termed a “density bonus”, designed specifically to enhance the availability of affordable housing.

As local housing advocate Briana Paxton expressed, “Our most acute need in Savannah right now is affordable housing. The only avenue to use this program is to provide affordable housing.” The amendment targets zoning districts TC, TN, and TR, covering roughly 8,000 parcels primarily located south of Gwinnett Street and north of Victory Drive between Ogeechee Road and Waters Avenue.

Bringing Back Savannah’s Historic Housing Types

Interestingly, these zoning districts already showcase examples of missing middle housing types, such as duplexes and quadplexes, which sit in a sweet spot between single-family homes and larger multi-family apartment buildings. The city’s Planning Manager, John Anagnost, echoed these sentiments, noting that this type of housing is part of Savannah’s rich history and could continue to play a vital role moving forward.

What Lies Ahead?

Although the precise date for the city council vote is still up in the air, excitement is building. A workshop session titled “affordable housing policy discussion” is on the agenda for the city’s upcoming meeting, hinting that meaningful steps are on the horizon.

As we look forward to these developments, Melder aptly remarked that this amendment could serve as “a proof of concept that restoring some historic housing types” brings vibrancy back to the community. So, stay tuned, Savannah! The future of housing in our beloved city may very well be on the verge of a wonderful transformation.