Week in Review – Chatham MPC Greenlights Sweet Spice Expansion, Tybee Celebrates One of Its Own, & Shipping Containers Toppled – Savannah Agenda

By Eric Curl

July 18, 2025 – This week’s update brings you the latest on local planning and community news: the MPC tentatively signed off on a Jamaican restaurant’s move to a purpose‑built Waters Avenue building, while votes on a Patton Road waste transfer station and Pin Point project have been pushed into August; Tybee Island’s city council opted to maintain its property tax rate while proclaiming July 19 “Dr. Alice P. Gerber Day” in honor of the beloved 95‑year‑old philanthropist; and a sudden gust at the Garden City terminal sent a stack of empty containers toppling—fortunately with no injuries or operational delays, according to a spokesperson.

Sweet Spice expansion plans

On Tuesday, the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission approved a future land use map amendment and rezoning request for 1103 E 69th St. at Waters Avenue. The owners of the Sweet Spice restaurant across Waters are looking to move to the vacant site in order expand the business with a “new, purpose-built facility that better accommodates its operations and customer demand,” according to the staff report. The MPC’s recommendation for approval includes the condition that the owners remove a proposed drive-through after concerns were raised by area residents about traffic congestion. The MPC is also requiring a final site plan be presented to the board for approval before construction can begin. The rezoning will next have to go before the Savannah City Council for consideration before the change is implemented.

Waste Transfer Station permit postponed

Meanwhile, the MPC delayed a vote to the Aug. 26 meeting concerning a special use permit for a solid waste transfer station at 6 Patton Road to allow the applicant time to meet with nearby residents. The proposal has garnered support from environmental organizations, local businesses, and elected officials for its recycling potential and operational safeguards, as previously reported. However, it also faces opposition from property owners and business representatives concerned about traffic, odors, and neighborhood impacts. The almost 18-parcel is next to the Westgate Industrial Park and Interstate 516, with the Tremont Park neighborhood on the east side of the highway.

Pin Point Plan delayed

The Chatham County Historic Preservation Commission cancelled the special called meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday. The commission was set to consider an application submitted to construct a shed and sign for a community garden in Pin Point, which is part of a plan to ensure emergency preparedness, disaster response and food sovereignty throughout the historic community, as previously reported. The meeting was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum, and staff is working to reschedule the meeting in August, according to an MPC official.

Tybee celebrates one of its own, adopts tax rate

The Tybee Island City Council voted to maintain the current property tax rate during a special called meeting on Thursday. The tax digest increased by 2.68%, resulting in about a $74,000 increase in tax revenue, but city officials recommended the rate not be rolled back because of “significant uncertainty in the in the national economy, and escalating construction and materials costs.”

In addition, the council proclaimed Saturday as “Dr. Alice P. Gerber Day” in honor of local artist, teacher philanthropist and long-time resident, Alice Gerber, who will turn 95 years old that day. As the founder of the Get Excited and Move (GEM) program for persons with movement disorders, Gerber continues to provide philanthropic support to GEM from her proceeds selling art and jewelry at the Tybee Island Farmers Market by the Tybee Lighthouse every Monday afternoon, according to the proclamation.

Yikes! Container collapse at Ga. Ports

A Georgia Ports Authority spokesperson said that a “freak wind” occurrence was what caused some empty cargo containers to recently collapse from their stacks at the Garden City terminal. No one was injured, and operations continued uninterrupted following the incident, according to Manager of Media Relations Edward Fulford on Thursday. Savannah Agenda inquired about the collapse after a photo of the incident was shared on Facebook.