Neighborhood Information Note: Secondary Road Access
To Residents:
I have reviewed public City of Savannah, Savannah-Chatham MPC, Chatham County, and GDOT records regarding a second entrance/exit for The Palms and Aspire at New Hampstead. Currently, our access route is: The Palms / Aspire internal streets → Coconut Drive → Highgate Boulevard.
Official records reveal no approved or planned second access point. The 2025 MPC staff report for Aspire Phase 2 indicates the combined 896 units (The Palms: ~630; Aspire: ~266) across Tract R-6 are designed with a single dedicated access entrance off Highgate Boulevard. Final phase subdivision documents show no future external road connections.
While a 2007 MPC record referenced a future Highway 204 connection requirement, later documents show this was satisfied via the general New Hampstead roadway network (Highgate Blvd/New Hampstead Pkwy), not a direct neighborhood exit.
Precedent & Regional Context
During the July 15, 2025 MPC meeting regarding Tract R-9, commissioners (including Chair Karen Jarrett) raised safety and emergency concerns regarding single-access configurations. While developers noted gated emergency access could potentially be coordinated with the City, changes to master circulation plans require support from the master developer and POA. Nearby road projects (New Hampstead Pkwy extension, Little Neck Rd widening) improve regional flow but create no new exits from our tract.
Current Findings & Next Steps
To date, no approved plans show an extension of Coconut Dr, Regatta Ln, Kingswood, or Guana Ln to external roads, nor any approved emergency-only route.
At a recent meeting, a neighbor mentioned having documentation of a planned secondary access. If you have this or any updated plans, please share them so they can be verified. Currently, official records confirm that Tract R-6 relies on a single entrance.
With 896 homes dependent on Coconut Drive, any blockage (accidents, emergency ops, downed trees, flooding) poses serious access risks. Further inquiry is needed regarding emergency access easements, Savannah Fire reviews, and potential POA or City support for a gated emergency connection.
Sources: Savannah-Chatham MPC Staff Reports (June 2025, March 2007, July 2025 Tract R-9 proceedings); City of Savannah Subdivision Approvals; Chatham County & CORE MPO 2050 Plans.