City Exemptions Would Eliminate Public Oversight of Private Office Complex

City Manager Jay Melder plans to grant municipal exemptions to the private Forsyth Office Buildings at Whitaker and Park Avenue—exemptions that extend beyond just the underground garage design. Once the City accepts the property transfer from the developers within 45 days, the office complex design will bypass the civic review process, eliminating public oversight.

Link to Historic Preservation Commission Agenda Item 35: https://www.thempc.org/eagenda/x/hpc/2025/october-22-2025-historic-preservation-commission-meeting/6115_38633.pdf

This exemption comes amid ongoing litigation by neighbors challenging City Hall's zoning change and alleging that developer donations to city officials were not fully disclosed in the Rezoning Application, as is required under state law. The change from historic TN-1 zoning to TC-2 allows buildings to exceed previous height and lot coverage limits that once protected the characteristic scale and mass of Savannah's Historic Victorian District.

Key Concerns:

• The developers have contributed to multiple City Council members
• These donations were not disclosed at MPC or City Council hearings
• The property transfer would shield the project from standard design review

Your Voice Matters:

City Manager Melder is required by law to notify the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) of the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) and allow for a comment period. If you oppose this removal of public oversight, now is the time to act.

Please submit your comment today to ensure this project receives proper civic review and transparency.