SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Right now, the Metropolitan Planning Commission is meeting to consider expanding a ban on hotels to more parts of Savannah’s Historic District.

The proposal would extend the existing Hotel Development Overlay District to include the Victorian, Streetcar, and Cuyler-Brownville Historic Districts.

That would effectively ban new hotel construction in those neighborhoods.

MPC staff recommended denying the proposal, instead including carve-outs for hotels smaller than 40 rooms and eliminating the mixed use requirement, among others.

The proposal has attracted lots of public comment, mostly in opposition to new hotel development.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson says City Council will have to take residents into account when the issue comes before them, no matter what the MPC decides.

“I think there is a point where too much is too much, and though I won’t put my hand on the scale because I think this ultimately comes to Council, we have to maintain a balance of livability and tourist interests, we have to do both,” said Mayor Johnson.

Business leaders from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Leadership Council oppose expanding the hotel ban.

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