November 21, 2023
We Savannahians are witnessing a sustained degradation of the very qualities that make our Downtown Historic District unique and a national treasure. Major threats appear every few weeks, challenging the guardians of our treasured downtown. Residents are now forced to reach out to the courts because the system in place to protect the district is failing us. There are now three major lawsuits in the courts addressing preservation issues, including the allegedly unlawful swimming pool proposed at 3 West Perry, the proposed building at 336 Barnard St., and the risk to the Davenport House Endowment, all discussed in this newsletter.
In This Issue:
Regulating the Subdivision Process in the Historic District
Green-Meldrim House Welcomes New Director
Lawsuit Filed to Stop Commercial Swimming Pool at 3 West Perry
Stop Work Order Sought to Halt Construction at 336 Barnard Street
Davenport House Endowment at Risk; Lawsuit Filed
Threat to Factor's Walk Thwarted for Now
Preservation Alert: Stop the SAV Sign - Attend the December 14 Hearing
Thank You and Matching Gift Proposal
Next OPC Volunteers Meeting
Mayor Johnson, DNA Guest Speaker November 28th
Progress on Regulating Subdivisions, Hopefully To Be a Win for All Downtown Residents
After being mired in red tape, a recommendation has been presented to the HDBR Downtown Historic District Board of Review (HDBR) that any proposals to subdivide or recombine lots in the Savannah Downtown Historic District will be required to obtain a certificate of appropriateness. This means that the proposals will be subject to public notice and hearings rather than being consummated behind closed doors. This recommendation is likely to be submitted to City Council in early December. Assuming that the measure is adopted by City Council, it will represent a win for all residents, creating greater transparency into important land use decisions and allowing the public to be heard.
If this requirement for public hearings had been in place, it is likely that the proposed swimming pool at 3 West Perry, discussed below, would not have been approved. The owner of 3 West Perry obtained approval from the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) to recombine two lots and obtained a building permit for a private pool. A public hearing likely would have revealed the possibility that this was going to be a commercial swimming pool. Had the public weighed in, it would also have pointed out, among other things, that the covenant in the property deed required approval of Ships of the Sea Museum, which had not been obtained for the project.
As background to why the proposal was generated, on September 26, 2022 the National Park Service issued a letter to the MPC citing the proposed building at 336 Barnard St. as the type of project that in aggregate would pose a threat to the integrity of the Savannah Downtown National Historic Landmark District. The proposed structure was a new building on the rear portion of a subdivided tithing lot. Because of the subdivision, the new building, which abutted the lane, no longer had to comply with the rules in the Ordinance limiting the height and other features of accessory lane structures. The NPS expressed its concern because this type of proposal changes the discernability of the lanes in the Oglethorpe Plan.
Starting in October 2022, the City established a working group of select stakeholders, including the OPC, who met periodically with the City to address ways to prevent such an error from happening again. The stakeholders quickly reached a consensus on several steps to take. Unfortunately, some of the recommendations have been blocked by the City. Nonetheless, the current green-lighted recommendation is important and signifies a first step in addressing the issue. This first step would not have occurred without the vigilant efforts of preservationists who identified subdivisions and recombinations as a threat to the Oglethorpe Plan.
Green Meldrim House Welcomes New Executive Director Jamie Credle and Celebrates Milestones
Last month, the Green-Meldrim House (GMH) appointed the well-respected museum curator Jamie Credle as its new Director. In addition, the GMH celebrates its new status as a 501(c)(3) museum house and the 80th birthday of its purchase by St. John's Church. In 1943, when Ms. Meldrim was in her 90s, she sought a buyer who would preserve the house. When neighboring St. John's Church expressed its interest but needed to raise funds, the Church, with Mrs. Meldrim's assistance, engaged in a broad fundraising effort, with contributions coming from a large number and wide variety of Savannahians. This event in 1943 was the first Savannah-wide effort to save a historic structure from potential demolition.
Lawsuit Filed to Stop Pool at 3 West Perry Street
Over the summer, demolition began on the historic Clermont Lee gardens at 3 West Perry Street. This followed the MPC approval for a recombination of lots and Department of Buildings approval for a private residential pool.
The owner allegedly began advertising the pool for his company's STVR clients, revealing thereby that the pool was likely for commercial, not residential, purposes.
Upon this discovery, outraged neighbors and community leaders including the DNA and OPC, voiced their opposition. In an October 15, 2023 letter, the OPC wrote City Manager Jay Melder and cited the provisions in the Ordinance that justify the City's right to suspend a building permit (which results in a stop work order) if an applicant made misrepresentations in obtaining a permit.
On or about October 17, the City issued such a stop work order. Since that date, neighbors and the Ships of the Sea Museum, whose permission was necessary but not given for the project, have filed a lawsuit which includes a demand for a permanent injunction.
The text of OPC's letter is here.
Stop Work Order Requested to Halt Construction at 336 Barnard Street
The project at 336 Barnard Street, which is the subject of litigation alleging that the building does not comply with the Ordinance, has commenced construction. This is despite the fact that litigation has been ongoing since February 22, 2023.
Plaintiffs have filed a motion for a temporary injunction to halt work while the Court determines the merits of the case.
Davenport House Endowment at Risk; Lawsuit Filed
The Trustees of the Davenport House Endowment Fund have commenced a lawsuit against the Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF). The endowment was funded with generous contributions from dedicated preservation supporters. The intent was that the income the endowment would exclusively support maintenance of the Davenport House.
Recently, HSF has attempted to take control of the endowment, for purposes that are not yet public. According to HSF's most recently posted Form 990, it faces significantly increased liabilities. In recent years, HSF has hired firms, including ones related to its own Board of Directors, construction and renovation projects for its own buildings.
Threat to Factor's Walk Thwarted, for Now
In October, the HDBR heard a proposal to build a deck alongside a bridge on Factor's Walk. Such a proposal, had it been approved, would have opened the floodgates to any business on Factor's Walk asking the same: to build a deck over the lower roadway that would fill the areas between the bridges. Imagine Factor's Walk with all the spidery bridges obscured by commercial modern decks.
Many of us are still in shock that anyone would think it appropriate to drastically alter Factor's Walk, one of Savannah's most iconic landmarks. The extreme nature of this proposal shows how far the frenzy of development is threatening to undo the efforts of generations of Savannah's preservationists. Please see letter from the OPC here.
Preservation Alert: Stop the SAV Sign - Attend December 14 Hearing
Visit Savannah has proposed a five-by-thirteen-foot aluminum sign in City Market in the Middle of West St. Julian Street. This proposal is not only inappropriate in character for the Historic District, but it also appears to be prohibited by the Ordinance.
The City is pretending that the SAV sign is not a sign because it is "public art." While it might or might not be art, it is clearly also a “channel sign,” and as such, it must comply with the sign rules in the Ordinance. The three letters, "SAV," are a logo of Visit Savannah and were designed by their advertising firm. The sign will be fabricated by a commercial sign maker. Under the Ordinance, it constitutes a "ground sign," which requires a COA. It is also a "channel sign," which is actually prohibited. Please read the letter from the OPC, here.
In the view of the OPC, the City is aware that the sign is prohibited, and it appears to be circumventing the COA process and prohibitions in the Ordinance by taking the proposal to only the Historic Sites and Monuments Commission. Please show up and let the City and Visit Savannah know that they are not above the law!
PLEASE SHOW YOUR OBJECTION BY SPEAKING AT THE DECEMBER 14, 2023 HEARING AT THE HISTORIC SITE AND MONUMENT COMMISSION AT 4PM AT 112 EAST STATE STREET.
Thank You and Matching Gift Proposal
We express our extreme gratitude to the large numbers of donors to the OPC. Your generous gifts allow us to cover our minimal administrative expenses and our payment of a portion of the legal fees for litigating preservation causes. To donate further, please visit OPC’s GoFundMe page by clicking this link.
An anonymous donor has agreed to donate $5000 conditioned upon another donor or group of donors contributing that amount. These donations will be earmarked for litigation expenses.
Next Meeting
The OPC is a volunteer group, and we want you! Please contact us at opc.preservation@gmail.com if you would like to get involved. We will have a meeting on Sunday, December 3 at 5 PM. Please contact us at the above email with your contact information if you are interested in attending. Capacity is limited.
Mayor Johnson To Attend DNA
Mayor Johnson will present at the monthly meeting of the Downtown Neighborhood Association at the Coastal Georgia Center at 305 Fahm Street Tuesday, November 28 at 5:30 PM. This is a good opportunity to ask about quality of life and preservation issues.