From Savannah-On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Planning Commission will consider the general development plan for Christ Church Anglican’s proposed new sanctuary and parish house with meeting and education facilities at the northeast corner of Drayton and 37th streets.
It’s a proposal that raises many interesting questions about the role of large-scale institutional development in a mixed-use area where narrower lots are common.
Of course, the Thomas Square neighborhood is already home to a significant number of large churches and institutions, as Christ Church Anglican’s proposal details. Similarly sized structures nearby include the Bull Street Library, New Covenant Church, the Christian Revival Center, Sisters Court Apartments and SCAD’s Wallin and Arnold halls.
Still, Christ Church Anglican is asking for some significant variances. Plus there is the complex matter of an existing historic building on one of the lots that would be combined.
The church building itself requires a 10-foot height variance from the 45-foot maximum in the Thomas Square zoning code and a 1,300-square-foot variance from the 5,500 maximum footprint.
Of course, since the sanctuary would be right against the parish house with a footprint of 5,800 square feet, we’re essentially looking at a footprint of 12,600 square feet. Technically, these are two buildings, but the visual effect will likely be of a single structure with different facades and levels.
More here-
http://savannahnow.com/exchange/2013-04-01/proposed-church-raises-development-question-savannahs-thomas-square#.UVrBq79Oyp0
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