DRAFT 07.21.2021 DRAFT Adopted by Savannah City Council October 31st, 2021 Adopted by Chatham County Commission October 31st, 2021 DRAFT ADVANCING TOGETHER, REDEFINING TOMORROW. DRAFT DRAFT IV PLAN 2040 DRAFT PLAN 2040 V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I ntroduction Plan 2040 is the culmination of collaboration over this past Chatham—Savannah year and would not have been possible without the time, Metropolitan Planning Commission Board knowledge and energy of those persons listed and to the hundreds of community members who came to events, Joseph Welch—Chairman participated in virtual public meetings, attended steering Karen Jarrett—Secretary committees, answered our survey and provided their Eula Parker—Treasurer invaluable input. Loreen Boles Travis Coles Elizabeth Epstein Joseph Ervin Ruel Joyner Wayne Noha Dwayne Stephens Dr. Malik Watkins Tom Woiwode Lee Smith—Chatham County Manager Michael Brown—Interim City Manager DRAFTMayor & Alderman The City of Savannah V an R. Johnson II—Mayor Kesha Gibson-Carter—Post 1, At-Large Alicia Miller Blakely—Post 2, At-Large Bernetta B. Lanier—District 1 Detric Leggett—District 2 Linda Wilder-Bryan—District 3 Nick Palumbo—District 4 Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz—District 5 Kurtis Purtee—District 6 VI PLAN 2040 Technical Assistance Chatham County Chatham—Savannah Board of Commissioners Metropolitan Planning Commission Staff Chester A. Ellis—Chairman Melanie Wilson—Executive Director MPC Helen L. Stone—District 1 Pamela Everett—Assistant Executive Director Larry "Gator" Rivers—District 2 Jackie Jackson—Director of Advance Planning Bobby Lockett—District 3 Lara Hall—Director of SAGIS Patrick K. Farrell—District 4 Marcus Lotson—Director of Development Services Tanya Milton—District 5 Leah G. Michalak—Director of Historic Preservation Aaron "Adot" Whitely—District 6 Mark Wilkes—Director of Transportation Dean Kicklighter—District 7 Kenneth A. Adams—District 8 David Ramsey—Information Services & Mapping Debbie Burke—Natural Resource Planner Nic Fazio—Senior Planner Kait Morano—Planner Aislinn Droski—Assistant Planner Asia Hernton—Assistant Planner Kiakala Ntemo—Contract Planner Subcommittee Members DRAFTSpecial Thanks Loreen Boles—MPC, Savannah Patty McIntosh, AICP—Contract Planner Travis Coles—MPC, Savannah Dwayne Stephens—MPC, Savannah Dr. Malik Watkins—MPC, Chatham County Ruel Joyner—MPC, Chatham County (Alternate) Acknowledgements PLAN 2040 VII TABLE OF CONTENTS COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY ECONOMIC LAND USE PARTICIATPION PROFILE GOALS DEVELOPMENT 20 42 92 102 142 Community Survey 24 History 44 Regional Economy 104 Purpose & Intent 144 Conditions & Trends Webpage 34 Regional Population 46 Labor Force 105 Regional Context 146 Travel Characteristics Social Media 35 Demographic Data 52 DRAFTJob Environment 110 Annexations 148 MTP Comment Map 36 Development Patterns 86 Economic Base 111 Development Pattern 150 Investments Pop–Up Events 38 COVID–19 Pandemic 88 Economic Drivers 112 Existing Land Use 152 Roadway Infrastructure Meetings 39 Business Profile 118 Employment Centers 154 Intermodal Meeting Takeaways 41 Growing Industries 124 Growth Strategies 156 Non–Motorized Declining Industries 128 Growth Centers 160 Transit Growth Challenges 129 Accomodating Growth 162 Technology Economic Resiliency 130 Character Areas 164 Considerations Economic Development Goals 136 Future Land Use 178 Transportation Goals Issues & Opportunities 187 Land Use Goals 190 VIII PLAN 2040 TRANSPORTATION HOUSING NATURAL QUALITY–OF–LIFE SHORT TERM WORK RESOURCES PROGRAM & ROA 196 242 280 342 412 Conditions & Trends 198 State of Housing 244 Natural Resources 282 Historic Preservation 344 STWP 416 Travel Characteristics 200 Age & Housing Demand 254 Stormwater Management 284 Historic Goals 364 ROA 460 MTP 204 NEWZO 256 RenewableDRAFT Energy 310 Education 372 Investments 206 Cost–Burdened 258 Climate Change 312 Education Goals 380 Roadway Infrastructure 208 Affordable Housing 260 Heat Islands 318 Community Health 384 Intermodal 214 Strategies & Programs 264 Smart Growth 320 Community Health Goals 390 Non–Motorized 220 Public Housing 266 Sea Level Rise 322 Public Safety 394 Transit 224 Homelessness 268 Resiliency 324 Public Safety Goals 398 Technology 230 Special Needs 270 Issues & Opportunities 328 Broadband 402 Considerations 236 Resilience 272 Natural Resources Goals 332 Broadband Goals 410 Transportation Goals 238 Historic Inventory 273 Housing Goals 274 Acknowledgements PLAN 2040 IX WELCOME LETTERS LETTER FROM THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN It is my pleasure to introduce Plan 2040, the updated Chatham County Comprehensive Plan. This update includes new strategies and actions gathered from nearly 2,500 ideas shared by thousands of people since the Community Plan was last adopted in 2016. These periodic Plan updates are one of the many important ways we demonstrate Chatham’s commitment to being an inclusive and equitable community as it offers new and traditionally underserved community members an equal opportunity to have input on the ways we act to bring our vision to life. The update process also ensures we’re incorporating the most up-to-date approaches and information as the County evolves over time. DRAFTI also want to acknowledge the unique moment in which we’re releasing this Plan update. Most of the ideas were conceived at a time when a global pandemic was the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. What we learned is that people value and take solace in our long-term vision. Chatham will keep moving forward and we will rebound. It is now more important than ever to build an inclusive, Chester A. Ellis, Chatham County Chairman engaged, and prosperous community ... together. On behalf of the entire Chatham County Commission, I want to express our gratitude and reaffirm our support as we continue to move Chatham forward together. X PLAN 2040 LETTER FROM THE MAYOR OF SAVANNAH This update is the product of a multitude of different types of public engagement endeavors and careful consideration by City staff and our City Council. An approved update is critically needed to ensure Savannah is able address the challenges and opportunities that we face today. We recognize that in a time of crisis, such as COVID–19, while tracking and responding to immediate needs, considering the broader goals and vision of the City is challenging. Hence, the Plan 2040 Comprehensive Plan will serve as that reminder and guide, as we all come together to work toward a more equitable and resilient City than ever before. Public engagement has been a hallmark of the DRAFTComprehensive Plan update process. Through various engagement events and venues, the MPC, as the agent for this update process, has heard from thousands of residents and stakeholders. The update that we submit to you today reflects the best analysis, policies, and actions that will prepare Savannah Van Johnson, Mayor of Savannah to manage the change ahead with an eye toward equity, resilience, and shared prosperity. On behalf of the entire City Council, I want to express our gratitude and reaffirm our support as we continue to move Savannah forward together. Acknowledgements PLAN 2040 XI EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Plan 2040 The Unincorporated Chatham County–Savannah The Future Land Use Map shall be referenced Comprehensive Plan is the community’s principal guiding in making rezoning and capital investment or “vision” document—designed to formulate a coordinated, decisions: long-term planning program to maintain and enhance the It provides a representation of the community’s vision help- health and viability of the jurisdictions. The Comprehensive ing to guide development based on community preferences Plan lays out the desired future for Unincorporated and also indicates character areas where various types of Chatham–Savannah, and relates how that future is to be land uses should be permitted. achieved. The plan serves as a resource to both the public and private sector by projecting how land will develop, how The Comprehensive Plan provides policies housing will be made available, how jobs will be attracted that help guide day–to–day decisions: and retained, how open space and the environment will be protected, how public services and facilities will be These policies are reflections of community values identified provided, and how transportation facilities will be improved. through public outreach efforts. These policies will be used In short, the Unincorporated Chatham County–Savannah as guidelines in the analysis of rezoning decisions and other Comprehensive Plan is intended to provide for consistent capital investment decisions. policy direction. The Chatham County Commission, City of Savannah, City The Comprehensive Plan includes an Council and local community leaders will use the Chatham DRAFTImplementation Program that will direct County–Savannah Comprehensive Plan in the following public investment and private initiative: ways: Plan implementation is carried out through the adoption and revision of regulations, including zoning and development codes, and through the completion of projects and programs outlined in the Community Goals and Community Strategic Plan and Work Program. The Comprehensive Plan is a living document and should be updated regularly as conditions change and shifts occur in public policy. The following pages describe the results of public participation that informed and guided the this planning document. XII PLAN 2040 Port Wentworth Effingham County, GA Jasper County, SC Bloomingdale Garden City Pooler Thunderbolt Savannah Tybee Vernonburg Unincorporated Chatham DRAFT Bryan County,