Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ guide is designed to answer questions that are likely to be asked during the Unified Zoning Ordiance process. If your question is not listed and/or you need additional assistance, please contact MPC planning staff at (912) 651-1499 or 651-1440.
City of Savannah Public Information Officer, Bret Bell, |
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What is the Unified Zoning Ordinance and why is it important?
What is the Zoning Assessment?
Why is the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) responsible for the update?
How is the Unified Zoning Ordinance process structured?
What is the Unified Zoning Ordinance timeline?
Where can I obtain or view the existing zoning ordinances?
How do I compare the existing use names and definitions to those that are proposed?
Whom should I contact if I have additional questions?
Background
The Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) is in the process of preparing a Unified Zoning Ordinance for unincorporated Chatham County and the city of Savannah. This process is the second phase of the Tricentennial Plan. The first phase was to prepare a unified comprehensive plan (Chatham County-Savannah Comprehensive Plan) which was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and the City Mayor and Aldermen in November 2006.
A comprehensive plan is a guiding document that: 1) determines the long range vision for a variety of community elements such as land use, economic development, housing, historic and cultural resources, natural resources, and transportation; 2) lists goals and strategies related to achieving the overall community vision and for each element; and 3) develops a work program for the implementation of the goals.
The Unified Zoning Ordinance (UZO) will be a primary implementation tool as it will:
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determine how all land in unincorporated Chatham County and Savannah can be used;
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encourage a variety of housing types to account for economic and multi-generational needs;
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preserve historic structures and help maintain or reestablish the physical and architectural integrity of historic neighborhoods;
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assist with the protection of natural resources such as marshes and wetlands; and
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improve site development standards such as buffering, lighting, parking and signage.
What is Zoning?
Zoning was established in the early 20th century as a mechanism to protect and improve health, safety, and welfare. Establishing building setbacks, for example, ensured that air flow and light would not be restricted. Over time zoning was expanded to regulate the location of land uses (through zoning districts) and height and bulk standards such as lot size, lot width, and building setbacks. Zoning also regulates other aspects of site development such as parking, buffering, lighting, and signage, and it even promotes the preservation of historic neighborhoods and structures as well as natural resources. The zoning ordinance includes two components: 1) The zoning text providing the standards; and 2) The zoning map showing where the different districts apply.
In Georgia, “The Zoning Procedures Law” (O.C.G.A Title 36, Chapter 66) provides local governments with the power to exercise zoning provided that there is compliance with minimum procedures of the Law.
What is the Unified Zoning Ordinance and Why is it Important?
Adopted nearly a half century ago, both zoning ordinances are showing their age in a number of areas which has led to inefficiency, redundancy, and confusing and contradictory processes among other concerns. A comprehensive evaluation of the ordinances can be found in the Zoning Assessment Report. One finding of the report is that the existing codes do not always reflect best zoning and planning practices. Through the Unified Zoning Ordinance process, the following will be possible:
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Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. As mentioned in the Background section, the UZO will serve as vital tool to implement the Chatham County-Savannah Comprehensive Plan, including the Future Development Map which will provide guidance for future rezoning.
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Unification of Existing Zoning Ordinances: A unified zoning ordinance will consolidate the existing zoning ordinances for Chatham County and Savannah into one document, a Unified Zoning Ordinance, for greater consistency and efficiency. Combined, both ordinances contain approximately 700 pages of regulations and 126 zoning districts. While some standards may vary between the County and City, most standards will be identical. Where there are differences between jurisdictions, they will be identified and distinguished within the UZO. This will be the first unified ordinance shared by the County and City.
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Modernization: Neither zoning ordinance has been updated since their adoption in the early 1960s. Numerous amendments have occurred, but this has led to formatting and process issues, contradictions, and multiple zoning districts. Furthermore, as both ordinances reflect a suburban approach to development, suburban standards have been imposed on some urban neighborhoods, which has led to some inappropriate uses being allowed (and some appropriate uses not allowed). It has also forced many landowners to obtain one or more variances to develop or make improvements to their property.
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Increased Efficiency: Improved formatting, fewer zoning districts, consistent standards, and streamlined review processes will make zoning more efficient and save time and money for all users.
What is the Zoning Assessment Report?
The Zoning Assessment Report is an evaluation of the existing zoning ordinances, including their format, administrative processes, districts, uses, and standards. It serves as an educational tool as it explains what each of these areas is intended to do, whether the present approach works as well as it could, and provides ideas for consideration in the update process.
Why is the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) Responsible for the Update?
Since 1956 the MPC has served as the land planning and zoning agency for Chatham County and the Savannah. While the MPC prepares amendments to the zoning ordinances for each jurisdiction and makes recommendations, each governing body will remain responsible for the adoption and enforcement of the Unified Zoning Ordinance. The MPC’s Planning Commission will serve as the Executive Committee for the Zoning Update.
How is the Unified Zoning Ordinance Process Structured?
The Executive Committee consists of the Planning Commission, a 14 member board that includes six volunteer County representatives, six volunteer City representatives and two ex-officio members (i.e., County Manager and City Manager). The Executive Committee will oversee the Unified Zoning Ordinance process and provide direction. Ultimately, the Planning Commission will be responsible for making a recommendation to the County Commission and Mayor and Aldermen regarding the Unified Zoning Ordinance.
The Technical Committee consisted of approximately 30 private and government professionals who worked with MPC staff and its consultants to develop the Unified Zoning Ordinance. With wide-ranging, first-hand development-related experience, this group produced work products for public review and comment. Work products from this group were reviewed by the Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee consisted of about 80 community and neighborhood leaders and Focus Groups (stakeholders with specific areas of interest) who reviewed the draft before release to public officials and the general public.
What is the Timeline for the Unified Zoning Ordinance?
The first public draft was released on June 28, 2011. The public comment period ends on January 31, 2012. Adoption is anticipated in late spring/early summer of 2012. Click here for a complete timeline of the Unified Zoning Ordinance process.
Where Can I Obtain or View the Existing Zoning Ordinances?
The County and City zoning ordinances can be obtained from MPC (110 East State St) or accessed via the MPC's website.
How do I Compare the Existing Use Names and Definitions to Those that are Proposed?
The Use and Definition Comparison Chart provides a side-by-side comparison of the existing and proposed use names and definitions.
With a unified ordinance, will both the City Council and the County Commission make decisions on all zoning-related matters?
The decision making authority for zoning issues related to the city or unincorporated Chatham County will remain with the governing body of each jurisdiction. For example, if someone in unincorporated Chatham County requests a rezoning, the decision on that rezoning will be made by the County Commission, not City Council, as it is within their jurisdiction. The opposite would apply if a rezoning was requested in the City - it would be City Council’s decision. Text amendments to the zoning ordinance would be presented to each governing body. If City Council choose to approve something differently that the County Commission, that difference would be noted in the revised text of the ordinance.
Whom Should I Contact if I Have Additional Questions?
If you have further questions, please contact the MPC at (912) 651-1499 or send an email to uzo@thempc.org.