Tybee denies Chu's building project

Scott M. Larson - Savannah Morning News

The idea of a 14-unit subdivision between the beach and Butler Avenue died Thursday by the hand of Tybee City Council.

For now.

Businessman and developer Bobby Chu vowed to fight again - after he consults his attorney.

"This is by no means over," he said.

The property is one of the last significant pieces of land between Butler and the beach. The only structure on the land is a historic "Tybee raised cottage."
The property is 1.52 acres, according to Chatham County records.

Chu was seeking a variance to build a slightly bigger road through the development and to build past the city's jurisdiction line. The line stops short of the dunes and beach and Chu proposed building four houses past the line.

A month ago council sent the plan back to the Tybee Island Planning Commission to figure out if the council could grant a variance to the city's jurisdiction line.

Some in the crowd lambasted Chu, saying he was only seeking the variance in order to build more houses, including two right up on the sand dunes of the beach. If the development was forced to be built inside the city limits, Chu could lose those four houses from his plan, he said.
And that would not justify the cost of the property, which he didn't disclose.

"It's not about greed. This is the American way, capitalism," he said. "If you like socialism, I think China has a better way. I just got back from there."

He also noted that two lots on Butler Avenue would never be allowed to be built on, saving some large oak trees.

Councilman Paul Wolff made the motion to deny the variance requests. He said a developer could build fewer houses and still make a profit.

"I think this is overkill," he said.

Councilwoman Wanda Doyle voted against Wolff's motion. Councilman Eddie Crone, because he works at a Chu's convenience store, recused himself, although City Attorney Bubba Hughes stated that there was no conflict.

In other business:
Developers seeking to build residences on the Lazaretto Creek pulled the petition from the Tybee City Council's agenda Thursday.

Many on the island are opposed to building residences in the "Maritime District." It is the area on the island where the shrimp boats dock and the first thing visitors see as they get to the island.

City staff said the petition would come back next month.