Council advances stopping/standing/parking amendment after debate over impact on long‑standing auto shop

Alderman Alicia Miller Blakeley raised concerns at the Savannah City Council meeting on May 28 that a proposed amendment to the city's stopping, standing and parking ordinance could unfairly affect a 38‑year local business, Autoworks, and asked the council to reconsider how the change was implemented.

"This is a historical blackowned business in Savannah, Autoworks," Miller Blakeley said, arguing that the business had not received prior notice and that nearby property owners had reportedly approached the owner to buy the building. She said residents and the business community rely on on‑street parking and warned the measure could appear targeted.

City staff and the city manager responded that the recommendation for no‑parking on several narrow stretches — including Mus Avenue between Bull and Drayton Streets — was driven by safety concerns and a long history of code compliance issues. The city manager said the code cases and crash history "dating back to 2009 has been sustained several times through the court system," and noted staff can share records and accident reports with council.

Council members discussed possible alternatives, including consistent application of restrictions on adjacent streets, stronger enforcement of existing code violations, stepped fines for repeat offenders and the option of metered parking as part of a larger parking study. Alderman Dietrich Leget urged staff to notify affected business owners in advance and to ensure residents are not left without parking.

After debate and questions from multiple members, the council moved to place the amendment on first and second reading, to have the ordinance placed upon its passage and to pass it. The motion was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote.

The action alters the city's stopping/standing/parking ordinance to add designated no‑parking sections; the city manager said staff will provide supporting code compliance documentation and accident reports to council members and may return with recommendations on metered parking and enforcement changes.

Next steps: staff will provide the referenced accident and code‑compliance records and may return with additional recommendations on parking meters or targeted enforcement.