Residents: Godley tract zoning changes threaten quality of life (Savannah: houses, neighborhood)

[Airforceguy]

IMO, I think the city and county dropped the ball on the master plan for this community. If I lived in Godley Station I too would be irked by the number of warehouses and distribution centers that have been built in the community as of late. I also agree with City Manager Rob Hernandez when he questioned if planners really want the northern end of the county to be nothing but warehouses and distribution centers.

The master plan encompasses 4,700 acres split by the cities of Savannah and Pooler.

Another petition heard at the same meeting addressed 108 acres on the northeast corner of Jimmy DeLoach Parkway for the same designation. That request was continued to the MPC’s next meeting. If granted, the two requests would have brought over 2 million square feet of warehouse space to the neighborhood.

The fate of the ALFA proposal is ultimately up to Savannah City Council, but area neighbors who submitted more than 60 emails opposing the changes say the rezoning requests are becoming all too familiar.

One of those residents speaking out against the changes is Teri Gary, who purchased a home with her husband in Willow Point subdivision about four years ago. Gary said a number of factors influenced their decision to move to west Savannah, including the quiet atmosphere of the area.

“The house that we found fit perfectly in our budget and we love our quiet neighborhood,” Gary said.

“But we do not love the fact that it feels like the developers are just dumping off to the highest bidder instead of making good on what the promise was for that area, which was residences, neighborhood shops, businesses and a small little community within itself and they’re selling them off left and right to warehouses.”

The 68 pages of submitted emails range from short paragraphs to pages long complete with web links, but most share Gary’s concerns for heavy truck traffic, overall safety and decreased property values.

Gary also spoke out against prior changes last year, in which City Council voted to approve the rezoning of a 342-acre lot for warehouse space, which will extend the west end of Highlands Boulevard. The area will be added to a 328-acre area that the city of Pooler approved in early 2016 for the Morgan Lakes Industrial Park.

Highlands Boulevard currently dead ends, but will be built out to connect with Jimmy DeLoach Parkway. Gary worries that the boulevard, which is the only access road for thousands of residents, will then become a shortcut for truckers to and from the warehouses.

Residents: Godley tract zoning changes threaten quality of life | BiS | Business in Savannah News

[GA Survivor]

The master plan should have included the warehousing areas. I am not sure if they didn't expect the port growth or just ignored it. When you look at the port and Jimmy Deloach Pkwy, it is reasonable to assume warehouses would want to be along the route to Interstate 16. Not to mention the landowners don't care except about who has cash today to make a profit.

[WanderingImport]

This a case of greed. Leaders care less about quality of life and more about their bottom line.
What ever zoning that is in place should remain so for those that chose to be there.

[Carolina Knight]

The master plan for Savannah Highlands needs an update. Proximity to Interstate 95 with connections to Interstate 16 and the Georgia Ports Authority makes Jimmy Deloach Parkway attractive for distribution centers and warehouses. Industrial uses factor into future zoning considerations. Continued residential development along the Jimmy Deloach Parkway corridor will initiate retail development. I project future retail development at or near the intersection of United States Route 80/Georgia State Route 26 at Jimmy Deloach Parkway.

[GA Survivor]

The problem with 80 and Jimmy Deloach is a lack of infrastructure in Bloomingdale. There will have to be a significant influx of money as they will have to purchase water through Pooler or extend water from little neck road under 16 to downtown Bloomingdale. Not to mention they have to come up with a plan for sewer as they send their to Pooler currently.