Savannah mayor proposes zoning overhaul to expand ‘missing middle’ housing

by Cam McCann

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah’s mayor is backing a zoning overhaul aimed at expanding what he calls “missing middle” housing across the city, a proposal that would allow a range of housing types in zones where they were previously not permitted.

What the proposal includes

The text amendment, called the “Housing Toolkit,” expands zoning permissions for the following residential housing types:

Single-family detached
Single-family attached (duplexes)
Two-family (duplexes where two units share a single lot)
Three-family and four-family (triplexes and quadplexes)
Townhouses and stacked townhouses
Apartments
Upper-story and mixed-use residential (apartments above shops or offices)

The proposal also includes lower parking regulations and would allow accessory dwelling units, known as ADUs, on land zoned as single-family, business, and office.

A mobile workshop in April brought the topic before city council.

Mayor: Decades in the making

Mayor Van Johnson said the city has been working toward this type of housing reform for years.

“Affordable housing is not just low-income housing, it’s housing for mayors, police officers, reporters. Stuff cost too much,” Johnson said.

“We knew we had that missing middle so we have really been putting tools in the toolbox, dealing with accessory dwelling units, dealing with inclusionary zoning that we’re hoping to get to, actually building housing ourselves. We’ve been building that over the years,” he said.

Realtors and builders weigh in

Realtor Kristin Brown, owner of Team Kristin Brown, said the zoning change is especially important given shifts in the housing market following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I do agree with the mayor that these are things we have been missing in Savannah, and I believe he recognizes that and has put forth effort to try and fix that,” Brown said.

Builder Bryant Maude, owner of Bryant Quality Homes, said the added flexibility in zoning will benefit families who may have otherwise been priced out of living near business areas.

“It was difficult because you only allowed so much of a footprint based on a structure and what they’re doing is adding flexibility which is great. It’s going to be a solution for a lot of families,” Maude said.