Letter: Metropolitan Planning Commission's move failed residents in Highlands Park
This letter is by Savannahian Thomas East.
On April 30, the Chatham-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (CSMPC) showed they are money driven and don't vote for what's best for Savannah residents.
The public notice said, "A public meeting regarding REZONING of property..." It also said, "The petitioner is requesting an amendment to the master plan to indicate use of single family attached townhomes and garden style apartments."
Many concerned residents showed up in person as well as online to voice their concerns. They mentioned overcrowded schools and adding to the already traffic nightmare. Building apartments or townhomes will add too many new residents instead of single family homes.
Benton Boulevard and Highlands Boulevard need to be expanded. Traffic is already a huge problem. Even a school board representative showed up explaining how this would negatively impact already overcrowded schools.
Even though the public notice said the CSMPC would be voting to approve or disapprove the request to allow apartments and townhomes to be built instead of single family homes, the CSMPC said the rezoning was already approved March 2023. They claimed the density is not being changed. They said the approved density is already high enough for apartments and townhomes. Many residents were confused and shocked.
Why were we not notified about this back in March 2023 before it was voted on? This is going to City Council next for approval. Hopefully they show they are more concerned for the citizens and are not money driven. CSMPC all approved this horrible rezoning request and should be ashamed of themselves for not listening to all the concerned citizens.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Letter: MPC's move fails Highlands Park residents
