As the Statesboro Mayor and City Council prepare to revamp the City's decades-old Code of Ordinances, Atlanta-based design firm TSW is stepping in to help streamline the process.
During a recent work session at City Hall, TSW Project Manager Caleb Racicot presented a diagnostic report to Mayor and Council. Racicot's report outlined several noted issues with the current code and provided suggestions for how to bring it into alignment with ongoing initiatives like the Blue Mile Project and the Downtown Master Plan.
Racicot said that the project will combine the City's zoning, subdivision, and development regulations into what he called a Unified Development Code (UDC) -- a lean, organized, and cross-referenced document that will replace the current regulations.
The project's initial analysis phase is already underway. Drafting is slated to begin later this summer, with a final document expected in Spring 2023. While a major part of the overhaul involves cleaning up existing policies, Racicot said that community feedback will be a crucial part of finalizing the UDC and ensuring that the citizenry's needs and expectations are met.
Senior housing project moves forward
On April 19, the City entered into a land use agreement with the Bulloch County Board of Education for a portion of the former Julia P. Bryant Elementary School site. During Tuesday's work session, Bill Gross of Kingsland, GA-based W.H. Gross Construction shared his plans for an affordable senior (55+) housing development on the property.
According to Gross, funding for this project hinges upon receipt of state and federal tax credits and the approval of a grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Phase one of the redevelopment project will include "adaptive reuse" of existing buildings. Once construction is complete, Gross estimates that prospective tenants will pay roughly $480-500 for single bedroom units and $550-650 for two-bedroom units and must qualify based on income and other factors.
