The Savannah City Council is saying "no" to a proposal to allow double-decker tour buses in the city's downtown historic district.

The council voted 7-2 on Thursday to uphold a Savannah ordinance that has banned double-decker buses for the last 17 years. Two Boston businessmen whose company provides double-decker tours in other U.S. cities had spent months seeking a change so they could come to Savannah.

The Savannah Morning News reports downtown residents packed City Hall on Thursday to show their opposition. They argued the buses would give tourists a Peeping Tom's view inside upper windows of homes, and said upper-level passengers might get whacked by low-hanging tree branches.

An attorney for the businessmen had sought a compromise, offering to limit the routes double-deckers would use.

Tags: Savannah, Savannah City Council, downtown Savannah, double-decker buses