We Savannahians are witnessing a sustained degradation of the very qualities that make our Downtown Historic District unique and a national treasure. Ever more inappropriate development is proposed every few weeks. We at the Oglethorpe Plan Coalition, Inc. are dedicated to addressing these threats and protecting the Downtown Savannah National Historic District.
In This Issue:
OPC Opposes Proposed Subdivision at 429 Tattnall Street
MPC Staff Approves Hot Pink and White Striped Façade at 418 West Broughton
OPC Reminds Concerned Citizens to Oppose the Proposed Changes to Section 106
Venerable Large Oak in Historic Warren Square at Risk of Destruction
OPC Opposes Proposed Subdivision at 429 Tattnall Street
The OPC is concerned about proposed subdivisions where the proposal is not consistent with recent laws enacted to regulate subdivisions, especially where the proposed subdivision results in an undersized lot.
Following the controversy surrounding the inappropriate subdivision at 336 Barnard Street, the OPC was a stakeholder in the efforts that led to the passage of Ordinance amendments to regulate subdivisions in the downtown historic district. Other stakeholders included the Historic Savannah Foundation, the Beehive Foundation and the Downtown Neighborhood Association. The resulting Ordinance Section 7.8.13 states that the subdivision shall be consistent with the prevailing historic context and lot patterns within the visually related context including, but not limited to, lot size, lot shape, and lot configurations.
The owner of 429 Tattnall Street, between Taylor and Wayne Streets, the location of Windy’s Preschool, has applied for a COA to subdivide this one parcel into 3 parcels. The existing Windy’s Preschool building is to be divided into lots B-1 and B-2, and a third lot, B-3, would be created from the yard behind the preschool.
This proposed third lot is only 765 square feet or .0176 acres. The OPC has not seen any convincing survey evidence that this property, or any property in the surrounding area, has ever been divided to include a lot this small. We note that insurance maps are not evidence of lot boundaries, nor are street addresses determinative of lot separation.
The evidence we have reviewed indicates that the entire block (Lot 32, Berrien Ward) has never had more than three lots (lots A, B, and C on below historic plat), while the subdivision proposal would now result in five.
If you oppose this proposal, please attend the hearing and/or email the HDBR at historic@thempc.org with the subject line “Opposition to 429 Tattnall Street” and copy opc.preservation@gmail.com. Your email must be sent by noon Friday November 6, 2026.
The hearing is to be held at the Arthur A. Mendonsa Hearing Room, 112 East State Street, Savannah, GA on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. The proposal is Agenda item 7, “Petition of Hamilton Court Development LLC. | 26-004653-COA | 429 Tattnall Street | Subdivision.”
MPC Staff Approves Hot Pink and White Striped Façade at 418 West Broughton
Without any review by the HDBR, the MPC Staff approved a garish storefront on West Broughton Street as being “visually compatible.” Given how much attention the HDBR typically devotes to reviewing storefronts, we cannot fathom why such an inappropriate design would not be submitted to the HDBR.
OPC Reminds Concerned Citizens to Oppose the Proposed Changes to Section 106
The Federal government owns many properties in Savannah; these include the Federal Court Houses, including the old Post Office on Wright Square as well as several buildings bordering Telfair Square and the important 1850s Custom House on Bay and Bull Streets, designed by John Norris.
Please write to your elected officials, especially your US senators, to oppose the changes. Under the proposed changes, state and local governments would lose the right to even be notified when a federal action threatens to damage or destroy a historic place in their own jurisdiction.
Here’s a link to more information: https://support.savingplaces.org/page/101008/action/1?ea.tracking.id=Email&ea.url.id=5875482&forwarded=true
Venerable Large Oak in Historic Warren Square Likely to Be Removed
Among Savannah most iconic treasures are the live oaks that dwell in our squares. Unfortunately, the City has determined it needs to remove one of the four massive oak trees in Warren Square.
Removal of this tree would leave a gaping hole. Our understanding is that the neighbors are asking the City to see if it can be saved or if not, to replace it with one large tree or multiple trees.
Warren Square Oak
Monthly Oglethorpe Plan Coalition (OPC) Volunteers 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. Our next meeting is planned for December 6, 2026, 3PM. Please send us an email with your contact information if you are interested in attending in person or by Zoom. Capacity is limited.