Preservation Alert, RECAP: HDBR Pushes Decisions on Two Problematic Proposals to Future Hearings

On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the Historic District Review Board (HDBR) reviewed applications from two controversial proposals. The first was for a massive 6-story structure proposed at 20-24 East Oglethorpe Avenue, 73 feet high and over 80 feet across. The HDBR expressed concern about the mass and height not being visually compatible and about the mass not being consistent with the large-scale development rules. The HDBR “continued” the application, allowing the applicant to revise its design accordingly and present at an upcoming hearing.

We express much thanks to all the OPC supporters who sent in letters. The public outcry was a significant factor in the board’s review. Even the Girl Scouts sent in a letter of opposition.

Unfortunately, he HDBR spent very little time addressing the recombination and summarily approved it, thereby allowing the owner to destroy an original tithing lot line of the original four wards dating to Savannah’s founding in 1733.

The second proposal was a deck on the front of 504 E. Bay, which the OPC believes is inconsistent with numerous provisions in the Ordinance. The HDBR was uncomfortable with this proposal as well, also continuing it to allow a more appropriate design to be submitted at a later date. Here’s the proposal as submitted.

Sincerely,  

Andrew Berrien Jones 

Chair, Oglethorpe Plan Coalition, Inc.