May 11, 2023
Columbia Square
Dear Supporters,
Welcome to our newsletter, in which we will keep you up to date on our activities and other preservation news.
Our Mission:
The Oglethorpe Plan Coalition, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are dedicated to preserving the Savannah Downtown National Historic Landmark District and its unique Oglethorpe Plan.
Why is this new entity needed?
One of the great legacies of the early preservation efforts here in Savannah was the enactment of ordinances (laws) that serve to protect the essential character of Savannah and its Oglethorpe Plan. Savannah is fortunate to have appropriate laws in place. These laws support our National Historic Landmark status, such a source of pride to residents not only of the downtown, but the entire city, state, and country.
Over the last decades, the organizations tasked with guiding the pace and nature of change in downtown Savannah on behalf of the public have changed their focus. The Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) and the Historic District Board of Review (HDBR), too often ignore the laws they are supposed to enforce and the unique historic features they are mandated to protect. Projects brought before them are now approved based on exceptions or precedents rather than the carefully crafted ordinances developed for our unique historic city, creating a truly slippery slope.
At a recent public meeting, the Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) explained that the Downtown Historic District is now only a small part of its extended interests.
The lack of a group dedicated solely to preserving the Downtown Historic District, as HSF originally was, has inspired our group of residents and supporters to collaborate to form a new entity to fill this need.
The problem we face is not so much to amend existing laws but rather to have the MPC and the HDBR abide by the laws that exist.
Please see our recent presentation to the Downtown Neighborhood Association here. (Starts at minute 43:27.)
What We Do:
Advocacy: Protecting the district and opposing inappropriate development, including supporting residents with appeals and litigation.
Outreach: Working with community groups and city officials to solve important preservation issues.
Education: Increasing public awareness of the importance of the district and the challenges it faces.
Assistance: Providing the public with assistance to understand the Certificate of Appropriateness application and appeal processes, and the requirements under the Ordinance.
An example of what we do:
A developer proposed and successfully convinced the MPC and HDRB to approve the construction of an overscale luxury dwelling at 336 Barnard Street, on the corner of West Charlton Lane and Barnard Street. We believe this project violates multiple parts of the Ordinances and would set multiple bad precedents that developers will cite in future construction, including (1) splitting lane parcels from the front parcels, creating issues for garbage bin and services location, (2) building not a two-story carriage house type structure but an ornate structure with the appearance of having 4 stories, and (3) incorporating design features that are directly in violation of the ordinances.
A major consequence of this proposal, if implemented on a wider basis, would be to strip the lanes of their original function as the proper place for garbage cans, electric poles, meters, garages, and other support functions. These uses would by necessity move to the front of the buildings on Jones St., Charlton St. and others. The benefits to the developers are clear: land on the lanes is cheap so profits from redeveloping them into homes for seasonal residents would be large. The downside is equally clear: garbage cans and other unsightly utilitarian uses will start appearing on our beloved historic streets rather than the lanes.
The developer won approval of this project by presenting a false choice – either preserve the existing single-story cinderblock building or support their overscale luxury dwelling. We are in favor of a third option, a fully compliant new building—one that takes into account the law and the unique character of Savannah and its Oglethorpe Plan.
The genius of the Oglethorpe Plan and its supporting ordinances is its sound framework for new development. Savannah is lucky to already have the ground rules set out. Our mission is to have these ground rules respected.
In February and March 2023, Andrew Jones, as authorized agent for Anna Habersham Wright, filed two petitions to Superior Court appealing decisions of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) regarding 336 Barnard. We will keep you apprised of developments in this case.
This appeal is not trivial. This project was called out twice by the National Park Service in a letter to the city dated September 26, 2022, in which the National Park Service stated that projects like 336 Barnard Street, collectively, can have ill effects on the integrity of the District. A copy of the letter appears on our website.
Your Help Matters:
As we pursue this appeal in Superior Court, we need help from you. Please help us raise money to pay for our attorneys fees. Use this QR or click this link to give.
If you want to make a donation directly, please send a check to the Oglethorpe Plan Coalition, Inc., c/o Andrew Jones, 324 East Broughton St., Savannah, GA 31401.
Update on the Civic Center:
In April 2022, the city's contractor and architect of 336 Barnard Street (above), Sottile & Sottile, produced a new plan for the Civic Center area. To see the full presentation click here.
Several aspects of this proposal seem sound. It seems quite clear that the arena no longer has purpose and could be demolished without great loss. The restoration of lost streets and lanes, which the proposal partially addresses, is important. The Oglethorpe Plan Coalition would support an open world-wide design competition for the redevelopment of the site. We are not in favor of any backroom deal where the development is handed to a local architect and developer with political ties.
We will update you when public meetings are scheduled.
Tru’s Corner
Our historian, Tru Helms, brings you a recollection of Savannah’s beauty captured within the Oglethorpe Plan.
“The drive through such portion of Savannah as lay between the terminus and Mr Charles Green’s house, soon satisfied my eyes that it had two peculiarities. In the first place, it had the deepest sand in the streets I have ever seen; and next, the streets were composed of the most odd, quaint, green windowed, many coloured little houses I ever beheld…. The fringe of green, and the height attained by the live oak, Pride of India, and magnolia, give a delicious freshness and novelty to the streets of Savannah, which is increased by the great number of squares and openings covered by something like sward, fenced round by white rail, and embellished with noble trees to be seen at every few hundred yards. It is difficult to believe you are in the midst of a city, and I was repeatedly reminded of the environs of a large Indian cantonment – the same kind of churches and detached houses, with their plantations and gardens not unlike.
-Russell, W. H., Sir, My Diary North and South. (1863). Bradbury and Evans.