Savannah Historic Board Rejects Roof Deck Proposal at 405 E. Hull St. Amid Community Concerns

Roof Deck Plans at 405 E. Hull St. Squashed by Savannah Historic Board

In a recent turn of events, Savannah has seen its fair share of lively discussions about historic preservation, community needs, and urban development. The Savannah Historic District Board of Review (HDBR) met Wednesday and swiftly put the brakes on a proposal to build a roof deck at 405 E. Hull St., much to the relief of concerned downtown residents who expressed a barrage of opposition.

The Proposal in Question

The applicant’s idea was to create a roof deck on the building’s front facade, looking out onto East Hull Street. Sounds quite lovely, doesn’t it? However, the city’s regulations are a bit more strict than one might hope. Rules dictate that roof decks must not be placed on front facades without a special exception, which hasn’t been granted. Just like that, a dream roof deck was dashed!

Community Voices Matter

Public engagement is an essential part of city planning, and in this case, it played a significant role. A whopping 50 online comments flooded in about the petition, with nearly all of them firmly opposing the idea. And it wasn’t just online outrage. Five local residents took to the podium Wednesday to voice their concerns, highlighting the potential noise disturbances associated with such a rooftop setup. “Quality of life” worries echoed in the chambers, denoting growing fears among residents about the sound of clinking glasses and late-night merriment filtering into their homes.

Board Members Weigh In

It’s always interesting to see how each board member puts on their thinking cap. Board member Michael Higgins expressed his unease at the thought of setting a precedent for future proposals. “If we go ahead and approve a special exception for this one, it opens up to anyone else doing the same,” he said. That very sentiment seemed to resonate with his colleagues.

Board Chair Karen Guinn also addressed the sticky situation. While acknowledging the community’s input on noise—which usually falls outside the board’s typical concerns—she noted that the proposed deck didn’t meet the criteria needed for approval. According to city code, special exceptions should not be detrimental to the public’s interest or safety, and it seems this proposal fell short.

The Future of Roof Decks

This doesn’t have to be the end of roof deck dreams, though! Board discussions revealed that a re-application for a deck could be considered on the rear of the building, which wouldn’t require a special exception. This potential backdoor to rooftop relaxation has sparked some hope among the proponents of urban outdoor spaces.

However, there’s still some grey area that needs to be untangled. As Jonathan Mellon from the Chatham County Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission mentioned, clarity on the definitions of front and rear facades is needed. “There is no clear definition of what that is,” he said, hinting at room for future discussion and possible revisions to city codes.

Looking Ahead

While the roof deck at 405 E. Hull St. may be off the table for now, the dialogue between community members, city officials, and the HDBR continues. Guinn even suggested that they consider ordinance revisions in the future, possibly paving the way for a clearer understanding and gathering further input from the public on modifications.

In the end, it’s clear that Savannah is a city that loves its historic beauty and vibrant community life. As discussions around urban modifications continue, it remains to be seen what the future holds for rooftop relaxation spaces, but one thing is for sure: community voices will always lead the way.