The Statesboro City Council will once again consider an amendment aimed at alleviating overcrowding of shopping center parking lots at their meeting Wednesday evening.
    The measure would require a recalculation of available parking in a shopping center once 30 percent of the center’s gross leasable space is dedicated to restaurants.
    Currently, the only time a shopping center’s parking is recalculated is when a restaurant applies for an alcohol license. Several council members have noted in the past that alcohol isn’t the cause of the potential overcrowding, but rather the presence of a restaurant.
    Current shopping centers that may not meet the new requirements, should they be approved, would be grandfathered in and would not be affected unless a new restaurant attempted to open in the center.
    The council approved the measure, on first reading, at their last meeting. However, all ordinances must be approved on two separate readings before taking effect.
    Other items on the city’s agenda include:
    • a motion to approve, on second reading, an amendment that would allow animated signs at enclosed shopping centers;
    • a motion to adopt, on second reading, an ordinance annexing property on Cawana Road into the city limits;
    • a motion to adopt, on second reading, an ordinance annexing property in the Whispering Pines subdivision into the city limits;
    • a motion to approve a change order in the amount of $18,664 with Pope Construction Company for the new police station;
    • a motion to set the date for the annual budget retreat.
    The city’s meeting will be held on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.
    Luke Martin can be reached at  (912) 489-9454.