Port Wentworth City Council talks amphitheater, warehouse rezoning

Destini Ambus, Savannah Morning News
·4 min read

At its first meeting in May, Port Wentworth's City Council discussed a number of rezonings and resolutions. The next meeting, on May 28 will be to discuss the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Here's what you missed at the first May meeting:

Warehouse rezoning

The city of Port Wentworth's zoning map as of Feb. 2024
The city of Port Wentworth's zoning map as of Feb. 2024

The rezoning of 200.9 acres or 2 million square feet to industrial use was discussed at a recent Port Wentworth City Council meeting, an addition to the 762 acres or 8.2 million square feet of a warehouse park that was approved in December 2023.

Last year, Port Wentworth City Council unanimously approved a development agreement for 762 acres of industrial-zoned property with Atlanta-based SPH 21, LLC. Prior to the development agreement being approved, the land had been zoned industrial since 2021, and is the largest warehouse development in Port Wentworth history.

The development agreement secured significant commitments to priority projects for the city, in exchange for the city providing the developers with potable water, wastewater services and relocating a portion of Saussy canal. SPH 21 will provide funding for the following:

More: Port Wentworth approves warehouse development, street parking changes and more

  • Intersection improvements and traffic light installation at Highway 21

  • Saussy canal drainage improvements

  • Two-acre site for a fourth fire station for the city

  • Installation and use of city fiber optic network for internet services

  • Commitment to the city's vision for pedestrian paths to walk, bike or take golf carts to and from the future park

  • Funding for sewer and lift station improvements

  • Commitment to consider the use of Port Wentworth Development Authority

  • Payments for dedicated ERU's, or equivalent residential units, of water

The remaining 200 acres is a land-locked tract that would only be able to be accessed through the warehouse park, according to the developer. It passed through planning and zoning commission with the recommendation that there would be no access via Saussy or Berrien Road and to enter into negotiations for the creation and execution of another development agreement.

"I just want to remind everyone that I'm not a warehouse fan, I don't want them," said Councilmember District 1 Gabrielle Nelson. "It's not something I am fond of at all; however, I do feel that it is important for us to find a place to put the warehouses. They are in one contained area and nobody else has anything else to say about warehouses popping up all over and around them. We do live in Port Wentworth, and they are going to come. I just want them to be in one area."

According to the city planner the additional 200 acres would only increase the percentage of land zoned industrial in Port Wentworth by 1%. As of February 2024, 2,275.07 acres in Port Wentworth are zoned industrial, which is around 99,099,000 square feet. With the addition of the approved warehouse space, that will bring the total amount of land zoned industrial to 101,099,000 square feet, not including if any land that has been rezoned to industrial between February and May.

Land zoned R-1, or single family residential still covers the majority of Port Wentworth at 35%, 3,330 acres. Second is industrial at 24% and third is 1,241 acres for Planned Unit Developments.

Action on the extension of the warehouse park will be taken at the next meeting in June.

Proposal for amphitheater

More progress on Port Wentworth's Anchor Park Development has been made with the approval of a proposal with JLG Architects to provide services for the future amphitheater for $767,000.

Approved unanimously in the consent agenda, JLG Architects will provide architectural and engineering services for the amphitheater that will be in the 150-acre park development, which will also house the 90,000-square-foot Ghost Pirates Training Facility and other amenities.

The proposed amphitheater will have the ability to host a wide range of events, like basketball tournaments, trade shows and car shows, and hold up to 5,200 with club level seating.

According to City Manager Steve Davis, they projected date for completion of the amphitheater is Fall 2025.

More: Port Wentworth gets $1.26M grant to provide energy to new park and Ghost Pirates Training Facility

Mayor Pro Tem steps down

Gabrielle Nelson with her child at the podium in front of Port Wentworth city hall on July 9, 2021.
Gabrielle Nelson with her child at the podium in front of Port Wentworth city hall on July 9, 2021.

After serving as mayor pro tem for the last two years, Port Wentworth Councilmember Thomas Barbee stepped down during the recent council meeting for personal reasons. Barbee will continue to serve as a councilmember, while Councilmemeber Nelson was nominated and approved 4-1 as the new mayor pro tem.

Current Mayor Gary Nelson has missed several meetings this year due to health concerns, so Nelson will assume those responsibilities until he can return.

Nelson has served on city council for the past two years, and previously was a planning and zoning commissioner for Port Wentworth. Most recently, she was appointed to lead the National League of Cities' 2024 Small Cities Council to develop and guide programs among elected officials from similar communities.

More: Former Port Wentworth city manager sues city for breach of contract

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Port Wentworth City Council discuss warehouse rezoning at May meeting