TO: The Planning Commission

FROM: MPC Staff

DATE: June 6, 2017

SUBJECT: Text Amendments to the City of Savannah Zoning Ordinance

Re: To redefine certain hotel use categories and amend where they are to
be permitted, including amendments to the following ordinance sections:

Article A. (Generally)
Sec. 8-3002 (Definitions)

Article B. (Zoning Districts)

Sec. 8-3025(a) (C and R Use Schedule) (C and R Use Table)
Sec. 8-3025(b) (B and I Use Schedule)
Sec. 8-3030(n) (Historic District)
Sec. 8-3028(d) (Victorian Use Schedule)

Article D. (Off-Street Parking and Service Requirements)

Sec. 8-3089 (Minimum requirements for off-street parking areas)
Sec. 8-3090 (Exempted uses and special off-street parking
requirements for specified zoning districts)

Article K. (The Mid-City (Thomas Square) District Zoning Ordinance)

Sec. 8-3200 (Definitions)
Sec. 8-3216 (Traditional Commercial Districts (TC-))
Sec. 8-3219 (Commercial Use Standards)

City of Savannah, Petitioner

File No.: 17-002806-ZA
Thomas Trawick, Development Services Planner

ISSUE:

The City of Savannah, petitioner, wishes to amend the zoning ordinance to implement standards
for what and where new hotels are to be allowed in the Savannah Historic District and in nearby
neighborhoods. The petitioner wishes to amend the zoning ordinance to redefine hotel
categories, change the permitted zoning districts, add use conditions, change the bonus story
requirements for large scale development, and change the off-street parking space requirements.
The goal is to reduce some of the driving incentives that have attracted large scale hotel
City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 2
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

development in areas of downtown, and to encourage greater incentive for developers to construct
more residential uses.

BACKGROUND:

The zoning ordinance currently allows many incentives which attract lodging uses within the
Downtown Savannah area. Some of these incentives include parking reductions for lodging uses
at one per bedroom, opportunity to obtain a bonus floor, and receiving a 50% parking reduction
when located within the boundaries of the West River Street District (Sec. 8-3090). Some of the
issues that have occurred in relation to impacting surrounding neighborhoods include visual
compatibility discrepancies, especially for large scale hotels that are allowed bonus stories, valet
parking areas, which have altered the pedestrian streetscape in some areas, parking, which remains
relatively the same regardless if certain reductions are applied, and limited opportunity to construct
large scale residential development or infill-related projects on vacant properties within the
Historic District. As a result, the lodging industry has supported a larger transient and tourist
population which has restricted the desire to support a long-term residential population in
Downtown Savannah. The city has recognized the importance to incentivize residential
development back to downtown, and has recommended the proposed amendments to the zoning
ordinance in order to balance both lodging and residential uses in order to achieve this goal.

In October 2016, the Mayor and Alderman discussed implementing a temporary moratorium on
all new hotel construction in select areas of the city, particularly in the Savannah Historic District.
The reason for this resolution was to allow some time for city and MPC staff to conduct and review
a hotel study, and provide recommendations for certain zoning changes to address the, negative
impacts on downtown residents and neighborhoods from the construction and operation of new
hotels in the landmark historic district. In April 2017, the city approved the Resolution Imposing
a Temporary Moratorium on Applications for Development of Certain Hotels in Portions of the
Downtown Area. This 90-day resolution will expire in July 2017.

In December 2016, MPC and city staff were instructed, to initiate a text and map change to the
zoning ordinance which would limit the size of new hotels in a portion of the [historic] district.
The intent was to further, investigate measures which [to] take through the zoning ordinance
to incentivize the construction of more housing for permanent residents in the area. The hotel
study was completed in February 2017 which offered some recommendations for how to address
this in the zoning ordinance.

With the primary goal for the city to attract more residential development to downtown, the
proposed amendments are intended to limit some of the incentives that have attracted large scale
hotel development and to determine where certain hotels are to be located. Additionally, another
text amendment is proposed which intends to remove the minimum residential density
requirements for dwellings in the Historic District (File No. 17-002807-ZA). Both amendments
aim to address the citys concerns about some of the impacts that the hotel industry has had on
restricting residential development in downtown.
City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 3
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

FINDINGS:

1. The hotel temporary moratorium expressed that, the density of large hotels in and near
the Historic District of Savannah is creating substantial problems for the surrounding
neighborhoods, creating visually incompatible demands on parking spaces, and reducing the
availability of downtown property for the development of apartments and other residential
uses. The city wishes to implement both the hotel text amendments and the proposed density
amendments (File No. 17-002807-ZA) as a joint strategy to address these issues.

2. The hotel study identified, as of March 29th, 2017, a total of 53 hotels either existing (40),
under construction (4), or under review (9) within the downtown area. In total, these hotels
propose to provide over 5,890 hotel rooms. This does not include additional rooms that are
available at inns or short-term vacation rentals. The hotel study also identified, how hotels
are presently regulated by the zoning ordinance-including identification of zoning districts
where they are permitted, any applicable use conditions, off-street parking requirements, local
historic district design review requirements, as well as review procedures. The proposed
amendments are intended to address several of the possible reasons for why hotels are more
supported by the zoning ordinance.

3. The bonus floor provision allows the developer of a large-scale project to seek an additional
floor above the maximum building height limitation as represented by the Historic District
Height Map (Sec. 8-3030). In return, the city requests one of following to be provided: a
historic street or lane must be restored and dedicated to the city; affordable housing must be
provided; active ground floor uses must be provided; exterior buildings must incorporate 100%
modular masonry on all sides of the building and sustainable roof technology must be
incorporated. The city wishes to remove all but one of these criteria in order to address some
of unintended consequences that have been attributed with this incentive.

4. Large scale development is defined as, Development whose combined ground floor footprint
is equal to or greater than 9,000 square feet within a single parcel and/or is greater than four-
stories in R zoning districts or is five-stories or greater in all other zoning districts.

5. Regarding parking incentives, the B-B (Bayfront-Business) and BC-1 (Central Business)
zoning districts are attractive for large scale lodging development as they do not require off-
street parking. This often makes parking an issue as hotel guests must either use valet parking
services, or they must find other parking accommodations. These two districts also allow
greater height for buildings and they do not have a density cap. The hotel study has identified
that the majority of the hotels within the Historic District, approximately 71%, are located
within three zoning districts: B-B (Bayfront-Business), B-C (Community Business) and BC-1
(Central Business).

Along with this, lodging uses located in the West River Street parking area (Sec. 8-3090) are
allowed a 50% parking reduction from the off-street parking standards (Sec. 8-3089). As a
result, many garages and on-street spaces are reserved to allow hotels to park cars for their
guests. According to the hotel study, as of February 14th, 2017, approximately 668 parking
 City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 4
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

spaces in four different parking garages were leased solely for hotel use. The city wishes to
limit the ability for lodging uses to obtain a parking reduction in both instances so as to limit
this incentive and to meet the actual parking demand of hotel guests.

6. The zoning ordinance identifies hotels as a permitted use in many districts, however, they are
not currently identified by size regarding the number of rooms. While development standards
relating to building coverage and height could limit the number of hotel rooms deemed
appropriate for a particular district, not identifying the number of permitted rooms for some
areas could support more large scale hotel development which may be out of character for
some surrounding neighborhoods. The city has proposed to separate hotel uses to reflect two
categories: Hotels, small (16 to 54 rooms) and Hotels, large (55 or more rooms) in order to
enforce a standard that can allow more place-based and appropriate development in some
neighborhoods. While smaller hotels would be permissible in more residential and less
intensive areas of the Historic, Mid-City and Victorian Districts, larger hotels would only be
permitted in select zoning districts which are more business intensive. The proposed NewZo
has also taken this into account and has proposed to identify hotels by the number of permitted
rooms.

7. Amending the ordinance to reflect the proposed changes requires updated intent statements for
large and small hotels, development standards and permitted land uses in the B&I, C&R,
Victorian and Mid-City use table and use standards. The city also wishes to apply certain use
conditions, amend the minimum requirements for parking spaces and special parking
requirements, and revise the bonus stories section of the Historic District Ordinance (Sec. 8-
3030). The proposed amendments are provided in the recommendation below.

POLICY ANALYSIS:

The proposed text amendments are intended to support the citys goal of limiting the size and
impact that hotels have on the Savannah Historic District, and other areas, and encourage more
residential development, particularly large scale development, in the Downtown Savannah area.
By eliminating certain incentives for large scale development, restricting the size of hotels to
certain areas and zoning districts, as well as amending the off-street parking requirements to
support these changes, this could reduce the desire to construct more lodging type uses in
downtown, and encourage other forms of development such as residential uses. Amending the
zoning ordinance to reflect the changes proposed in File No. 17-002807-ZA, in terms of removing
minimum density restrictions from downtown residential dwellings, the would also help support
the citys desired goal.

The Comprehensive Plan addresses the need for effective planning especially with regards to the
downtown area. The Plan explains that it is important to, Reduce uses that negatively impact the
quality of life in residential neighborhoods (p. 5-9). By enforcing a zoning ordinance that
incentivizes lodging rather than residential uses, hotel development and other lodging uses will
remain an attractive option for available properties located in the downtown area. By encouraging
long-term residential uses to the downtown area, this could encourage more opportunity to
diversify the Historic District and encourage more mixed-use development. More people living in
City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 5
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

the downtown area could also promote safety for surrounding neighborhoods by introducing long-
term stability and occupation in certain areas of downtown.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approval of the amendments to Article A (Generally): Sec. 8-3002 (Definitions) to establish a

definition for Hotel, small (16-54 rooms), Hotel, large (55 rooms or more), and Lodging
accommodations; Article B (Zoning Districts): Sec. 8-3025(a) (C and R Use Schedule) and Sec.
8-3025(b) (B and I Use Schedule) to establish use standards and conditions for Hotel, small (16-
54 rooms) and Hotel, large (55 rooms or more); Sec. 8-3030(n) (Historic District) to amend the
bonus stories section; Sec. 8-3028(d) (Victorian District Use Schedule); Article D (Off-Street
Parking and Service Requirements): Sec. 8-3089 (Minimum requirements for off-street parking
areas) and Sec. 8-3090 (Exempted uses and special off-street parking requirements for specified
zoning districts) to remove provisions for parking reductions for lodging accommodations; Article
K (Mid-City (Thomas Square) District Zoning Ordinance): Sec. 8-3200 (Definitions) to eliminate
the Inn definition; Sec. 8-3216 (Traditional Commercial Districts (TC-)) to change the Hotel,
motel use to Hotel, small (16-54 rooms); Sec. 8-3219 (Commercial Use Standards) to establish
conditions for Hotel, small (16-54 rooms).

ALTERNATIVES:
1. Recommend approval of the amendments as proposed.
2. Recommend approval of alternate amendments.
3. Recommend denial of the proposed amendments.

Text to be enacted shown in bold, underlined, and highlighted. Text to be repealed shown in red
and strikethrough.

I. Article A (Generally), Section 8-3002 (Definitions)

ENACT
Apartment hotel. A building providing transient, temporary or permanent lodging, which is divided
into living units consisting of single- or multiple-occupancy bedrooms, each of which is
served by private bath or common bath facilities and each of which may or may not be
served either by private or common kitchen facilities.
Hotel, motel or motel lodge. A lodging establishment consisting of one or more attached or
detached buildings containing more than 15 bedrooms or suites to transient guests.
Hotel, small (16-54 rooms). A lodging establishment consisting of one or more attached or
detached buildings containing between 16 and 54 rooms or suites primarily rented to
transient guests.
 City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 6
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

Hotel, large (55 or more rooms). A lodging establishment consisting of one or more attached
or detached buildings containing 55 or more rooms or suites primarily rented to
transient guests.
Inn. A lodging establishment providing bedrooms and meals to primarily transient guests which
contains not more than 15 bedrooms or suites.
Lodging accommodation. A temporary sleeping accommodation, with or without
independent kitchenettes, offered to tourists, travelers or guests travelling from one
place to another, stopping overnight or otherwise in need of a temporary place to stay.
Permitted lodging uses shall include Bed and Breakfast Homestay, Bed and Breakfast
Inn, Hotel or Motel, Inn, and Short-term Vacation Rental. If a lodging operation or a
proposed lodging use does not meet the definition of any the lodging uses listed above,
it shall not be permitted.

II. Article B (Zoning Districts), Section 8-3025(a) (Index for C&R Use Schedule)
ENACT

Index for Conservation (C) and Residential (R) Districts Use Schedule
Use Use No.
Hotel, small Motel, Motor Lodge (16-54 rooms) 11
Hotel, large (54 rooms or more) 11a

III. Article B (Zoning Districts), Section 8-3025(a) (C&R Use Schedule)

ENACT
RIPA1

RMH-
RIPD

RMH
RIPA

RIPB

RIPC
RIP-
C-M

R6A
R6B
R6C

R-D
RIP
R20
R10
C-A

C-R

RM
R-6

R-4

IP
List of Uses

(11) Hotel,
small Motel
(16-54 - - - - - - - - - - - X X - X X X X X - - B
rooms),
Motor Lodge
a. Provided such uses located within the RIP-A and RIP-D zoning districts boundaries of the
Savannah Historic District as defined in Sec. 8-3030(c) shall front on a street classified as
provide primary pedestrian access facing an arterial street as classified in Sec. 8-3048; Providing,
however, within the R-I-P district, complimentary meals and beverages (including alcoholic
beverages) may be served to registered occupants of the facility and their guests but shall not
be available or for sale to the general public;
b. Such uses may include accessory eating and drinking facilities and other necessary similar incidental
 City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 7
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

RIPA1

RMH-
RIPD

RMH
RIPA

RIPB

RIPC
RIP-
C-M

R6A
R6B
R6C

R-D
RIP
R20
R10
C-A

C-R

RM
R-6

R-4

IP
List of Uses

uses; provided such uses are otherwise permitted in the district;

c. Provided such uses located outside of the Savannah Historic District as defined in Sec. 8-3030(c)
shall face onto a collector or greater street as classified in Sec. 8-3048.
Provided, further, that such use located within an R-I-P zoning district may provide only
complimentary meals and beverages and only when such services are restricted to registered
occupants of the facility and to their guests and not available or for sale to the general public.

RIP-B1

RMH-1
RIPA1

RIPD

RMH
RIPA

RIPB

RIPC
C-M

R6A
R6B
R6C

R-D
RIP
R20
R10
C-A

C-R

RM
R-6

R-4

IP
List of Uses

(11a) Hotel,
large (55
- - - - - - - - - - - X X - X X X X X - - B
rooms or
more)
a. Provided such uses shall not be located within the boundaries of the Savannah Historic District as
defined in Sec. 8-3030(c);
b. Provided such uses located outside of the Savannah Historic District shall face onto an arterial
street as classified in Sec. 8-3048;
c. Such uses may include accessory eating and drinking facilities and other similar incidental uses;
provided such uses are otherwise permitted in the district.

IV. Article B (Zoning Districts), Section 8-3025(b) (Index for B&I Use Schedule)

ENACT

Use Index for Business and Industrial Use Schedule

Use Use No.
Bed and breakfast homestay 9cb
College dormitory 7ab
Inn 9ba
Hotel, large (55 rooms or more) or apartment hotel 7
Hotel, small Motel (16-54 rooms) 7a
Recreational Vehicle Park 9a
Short-term vacation rental 9dc
 City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 8
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

V. Article B (Zoning Districts), Section 8-3025(b) (B&I Use Schedule)

ENACT

R-B-C-1
P-IL-T
R-B-C
BG-1
BG-2
RB-1

BN-1

BC-1

IL-B
B-H

B-G
B-N

B-C
R-B

B-B

O-I
I-H
I-L
List of Uses

(7) Hotel, large (55 rooms or X - - X B

- X - - X X X - - X - - -
more) or apartment hotel - X X - -
a. Provided such uses located within the boundaries of the Savannah Historic District as defined in
Sec. 8-3030(c):
i. Shall only be permitted within the following Zoning Districts: B-B, B-C, BC-1 and B-G;
ii. Shall provide primary pedestrian access facing an arterial street as classified in Sec. 8-3048;
b. Provided such the uses located outside of the Savannah Historic District as defined in Sec. 8-3030(c)
shall face onto an arterial street as classified in Sec. 8-3048;
c. Such uses may include accessory eating and drinking facilities and other similar incidental uses;
provided such uses are otherwise permitted in the district.

R-BC-1
P-IL-T
R-B-C
BG-1
BG-2
RB-1

BN-1

BC-1

IL-B
B-H

B-G
B-N

B-C
R-B

B-B

O-I
I-H
I-L

List of Uses

(7a 9) Hotel, small Motel - - X

- X - - X X - X X X X X - X -
(16-54 rooms) X X *
a. Provided such uses located within the boundaries of the Savannah Historic District as provided
in Sec. 8-3030(c) shall provide primary pedestrian access facing an arterial street as classified in
Sec. 8-3048;
b. Provided such uses located outside of the Savannah Historic District as defined in Sec. 8-3030(c)
shall face onto a collector or greater street as classified in Sec. 8-3048;
c. Such uses may include accessory eating and drinking facilities and other similar incidental uses;
provided such uses are otherwise permitted in the district.
 City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 9
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

Including such ancillary uses as barber shops, beauty shops, restaurants with or without pouring licenses,
cocktail lounges, tobacco stores, drugstores, and uses of a similar nature.
Provided that within the R-B-C-1 district, no pouring license or alcoholic beverage sales shall be allowed.

R-BC-1
P-IL-T
R-B-C
BG-1
BG-2
RB-1

BN-1

BC-1

IL-B
B-H

B-G
B-N

B-C
R-B

B-B

O-I
I-H
I-L
List of Uses

(7ab) College dormitory

(9a) Recreational vehicle
park
(9ba) Inn
No change to the permitted Zoning Districts or conditions is proposed.
(9cb) Bed and breakfast
homestay
(9dc) Short-term vacation
rental

VI. Article B (Zoning Districts), Section 8-3028(d) (Victorian District, Permitted Uses)

ENACT
1-R

2-R

3-R

1-B

2-B

3-B
List of Uses

(8) Hotel, small (16-54 rooms) Motel or hotel - - - - - X

a. Provided such uses shall provide primary pedestrian access facing an
arterial street as classified in Sec. 8-3048;
b. Such uses may include accessory eating and drinking facilities and other
similar incidental uses; provided such uses are otherwise permitted in the
district.
Including such ancillary uses as barbershops, beauty shops, restaurants, with
or without pouring licenses, cocktail lounges, tobacco stores, drugstores, and
uses of a similar nature
City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 10
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

VII. Article K (Mid-City District), Section 8-3200 (Definitions)

ENACT

(1) In general. The Defined Terms herein apply in addition to those found in Section 8-3002.
Where this section specifies a defined term that includes the phrase, any similar use,
such interpretation shall be made by the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Defined Terms.
Inn. An establishment providing bedrooms and meals to transient guests that contains not
more than 15 bedrooms or suites.

VII. Article K (Mid-City District), Section 8-3216 (Traditional Commercial Districts (TC-))

ENACT
(2) Principal Uses.
(a) The following principal uses are permitted by right, or permitted as a special use by
the Board of Appeals in accordance with, Special Use Review.

TC- Districts TC-1 TC-2 Standards

Key: = Permitted = Subject to Special Use Review
Hotel, small,motel (16-54 rooms) 8-3219(18)

VIII. Article K (Mid-City District), Section 8-3219 (Commercial Use Standards)

ENACT

The following use standards shall apply to all permitted and special uses, as set forth in the
district regulations of Division 3.
(18) Small Hotel (16-54 rooms).
(a) Provided such uses shall provide primary pedestrian access facing an arterial
street as classified in Sec. 8-3048;
(b) Such uses may include accessory eating and drinking facilities and other similar
incidental uses; provided such uses are otherwise permitted in the district.
City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 11
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

IX. Article B (Zoning Districts), Section 8-3030 (Historic District)

ENACT
(a) Definitions.
Large scale development. Development whose combined ground floor footprint is equal to
or greater than 9,000 square feet within a single parcel and/or is greater than four-stories or
greater in R zoning districts or is five-stories or greater in all other zoning districts. In the
case of an addition to an existing building, the combined footprint and height of both the
existing building and the addition located on the same parcel apply.
(n) Design standards. The following design standards shall apply to new construction, additions,
and alterations to historic and non-historic buildings and structures. Though certain building
materials are prescribed herein, the Board may approve alternative materials that are not
listed as prohibited upon a showing by the applicant that the material or product is visually
compatible with historic building materials and has performed satisfactorily in the local
climate.
(5) Entrances. Building entrance locations shall comply with the following:
a. Location.
i. A building on a trust lot facing a square shall locate its primary entrance to front
the square.
ii. A building on a trust lot not facing a square shall locate its primary entrance so
that it fronts the same street as the other historic buildings on the same block.
iii. A building on a tithing block shall locate its primary entrance to front the east-
west street.
iv. A building on Broughton Street shall locate its entrances at no greater intervals
than 50 feet; provided, however, that for a corner entrance the interval to the
next entrance may be increased to 60 feet.
v. North of Broughton Street a corner building located adjacent to a north-south
service street shall have an entrance on the service street.
vi. A building along an east-west connecting street fronting a square shall have
entrances at intervals not to exceed 50 feet.
vii. If none of the provisions above apply, entrances shall be consistent with
the historic development pattern for the proposed use of the property as
determined by the City Preservation Officer.
(16) Large Scale Development. Large-Scale Development [see Definitions (a)] shall comply
with the following standards. New construction on Factors Walk and monumental
buildings shall be exempt from Large-Scale Development standards.
e. Height.
i. Large-Scale Development shall be subject to the Height standards in Section
(n)(2) and the provisions of Table 1. The base zoning district determines if the
City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 12
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

property is in an R zoning district (R zoning districts have the word

residential in the zoning district nomenclature) (See Section 8-3025,
Development Standards). For the purposes of this subsection, R-B-C and RIP-
C follow the standards for R zoning districts.
ii. Additional stories above the Historic District Height Map [Section (n)(2)] for
non-historic Large-Scale Development.
1. Only properties within the B-B, B-C, BC-1 and B-G Zoning Districts
The following properties are eligible for an additional story on the area of
the building that is unaffected by Table 1. All Mechanical or Access
structures shall be contained within the additional story.
(i) R Zoning Districts: A maximum of one-story above the Historic
District Height Map may be permitted for properties located on
Oglethorpe Avenue, Liberty Street, and Trust Lots.
(ii) All other Zoning Districts: A maximum of one-story above the
Historic District Height Map may be permitted.
2. One or more of The following criterion below must be met to qualify for
an additional story:
(i) An historic street or lane, as identified on Figure 2, is restored and
dedicated back to the City of Savannah as a public right-of-way;
(ii) Affordable Housing, as defined and quantified by the City of
Savannah, is provided within the development and so certified by the
City Manager;
(iii) Multiple ground floor active uses permitted in the base zoning district
(including but not limited to retail, office, lobby, restaurant) span the
length of the faade on all street fronting elevations (not including
lanes) and maintain individual primary exterior entrances.
(iiv) Exterior building walls incorporate 100 percent modular masonry
materials [see (n) f. 2. Exterior Walls] on all sides with the use of
granite, marble, or other natural quarried stone over a minimum of 30
percent of all street fronting facades. and roofs incorporate sustainable
technologies such as green roofs, rooftop gardens, and solar roofs
(including solar shingles, roof tiles, or membranes) over a minimum
of 50 percent of roof area and so certified by the City Manager.
City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 13
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

X. Article D (Off-street parking and service requirements), Section 8-3089 (Minimum

space requirements for off-street parking areas)
ENACT

List of Uses Minimum Parking Space Requirements

(1)(e)(1) Hotel; motel; inn
0.81 spaces for each guest or sleeping room or suite plus additional
spaces as required for other functions such as bar, restaurant, and
similar incidental uses.
Where it can be demonstrated by the owner or operator that 15 percent
or more of the overnight guests arrive by means other than a personal
automobile, the guest parking space requirement may be reduced
proportionately up to 25 percent.

XI. Article D (Off-street parking and service requirements), Section 8-3090 (Exempted uses
and special off-street parking requirements for specified zoning districts)
ENACT

The following are exceptions from the off-street parking requirements of section 8-3089:
(a) RIP-A, RIP-A1, RIP-B and RIP-D districts. Within the RIP-A, RIP-A1, RIP-B and RIP-D
zoning districts, the following residential off-street parking requirements shall prevail:
(1) New dwelling unit construction. One off-street parking space per dwelling unit.
(2) Subdividing or conversion of an existing structure to add residential dwelling units.
a. Subdividing of an existing residential dwelling structure into one or more
additional dwelling units. One off-street parking space shall be provided for each
such dwelling unit added.
b. Subdividing or conversion of an existing nonresidential structure for residential
dwelling purposes. One off-street parking space shall be provided for each
dwelling unit created.
c. Required off-street parking shall be provided in all cases as follows:
1. All required off-street parking shall be provided within the rear yard. Where
such parking cannot be provided in the rear yard and where not more than two
units exist on the parcel, one on-street parking space per each 18 linear feet
of lot frontage (up to a maximum of two spaces) may be counted toward the
required number of off-street parking spaces, provided that such space is
located directly in front of and on the same side of the street as the use in
question, along a public street where on-street parking is permitted.
2. Where the required off-street parking cannot be so accommodated, the zoning
board of appeals shall be authorized to grant a variance from all or a portion
City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 14
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

of the required off-street parking upon one of the following findings. Such
findings shall be in addition to the required findings to be made for a variance
as set forth elsewhere in this chapter:
(i) An alternative location of off-street parking proposed on the site (other
than in the rear yard) has been determined by the historic review board
to be appropriate to the character of the historic district; or
(ii) The developer shall provide a land use parking study which shows to
the satisfaction of the city traffic engineer that the following condition
can be met: The requested variance would not increase the ratio
between the number of dwellings within the block face area the parcel
is located and the number of parking spaces within the block face area
(off-street spaces dedicated to residential purposes plus on-street
spaces) above 1.0.
d. All residential structures in a multifamily residential project comprised of more
than 20 units, which project is restricted to housing for the elderly and/or the
handicapped, shall provide one off-street parking space for every two units or
portion thereof.
(b) BC-1 district. Within the BC-1 zoning district, all uses, with the exception of lodging
accommodations, are exempt from providing off-street parking.
(c) B-B district. Within the historic district, all uses, with the exception of lodging
accommodations, within the B-B zoning district are exempt from providing off-street
parking.
(e) West River Street Area. The West River Street Area as seen in Map 1 (attachment) is
defined as all properties bounded by West Bay Street, West River Street, Martin Luther
King Jr. Boulevard and Warner Street.
City of Savannah, Petitioner
Hotel Text Amendment Page 15
June 6, 2017
File No. 17-002806-ZA

(1) Uses within the categories listed in Table 1 Permitted Parking Reduction, that are in the
boundaries of the West River Street Area, shall be permitted to reduce the number of off- street
parking spaces required in Article D (Sec. 8-3089 Minimum space requirements for off-street
parking).
Table 1. Permitted Parking Reduction
Use Categories Permitted
Sec. 8-3025 (b) B&I Use Schedule Reduction

Lodging Facilities [1] 50%

Retail Sales and Service 50%

Community Facilities 50%

Restaurants 50%

Incidental Uses 50%

Colleges & Universities 50%

[1] Provided however that this reduction shall apply to transient guests only and that a
minimum of one half space per guest or sleeping room or suite be provided.
(2) Any use that is not within the use categories listed in Table 1 shall meet the
requirements set forth in (Sec. 8-3089 Minimum space requirements for off-street
parking).
(3) Any on-street parking spaces which abut a property line in the West River Street Area
may be counted toward the required parking for a single use on such property.

S:\DevelopmentReviews\Zoning\2017 City Zoning Files\17-002806-ZA - TEXT Hotel Text Amendments