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Welcome to the Planning and Zoning web mail service. As a subscriber, you will receive periodic notices of current projects in the Planning and Development Department. This subscription registers you or your organization as an “interested party” for purposes of receiving notification of:
The Planning and Development Department is located on the second floor of the Daniel Boone Building, 701 East Broadway, Columbia, Missouri 65205. Phone 874-7239. E-Mail: planning@GoColumbiaMo.com.
The Planning Division coordinates review of annexations, zoning amendments, development plans, subdivisions, street and easement vacations and street name changes; and land use ordinances. Most planning and plan review activities are coordinated with the Planning and Zoning Commission, a nine-member citizen advisory commission appointed by the City Council.
The Planning Division also prepares long-range, general, city and metro area plans; special studies as directed; and provides technical assistance to the Historic Preservation and Bicycle and Pedestrian Commissions. Division staff provides technical assistance to the Columbia Area Transportation Study Organization (CATSO), the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the federally-funded and mandated transportation planning process in the Columbia area.
The Community Development Division, with the assistance of a Council-appointed Community Development Commission, administers and plans the use of federal community development and housing funds received from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs.
The department does not review construction plans or issue permits for the following: land disturbance (earthwork), site development, or public improvements projects (contact Public Works Department at 874-7250); buildings or structures (contact Protective Inspections Division, Public Works Department at 817-6449). The Planning and Development Department also does not does not perform inspections or code enforcement (contact Protective Inspections Division, Public Works Department at 817-6449).
Concept review: An informal meeting for prospective applicants to discuss a specific development proposal. Concept reviews are not required for all types of zoning or land development applications. Notices of concept plans are sent after the meetings occur and are intended to let interested persons know where development activity may occur in the future.
Annexation: The incorporation of territory in the city limits by approval of an ordinance.
Annexation agreement: A contract between the City and a property owner describing the terms and conditions of future annexation.
Conditional use: A use listed in a zoning district that is not permitted as a matter of right but is subject to review by the City Board of Adjustment to determine its suitability for the specific location. Notices of conditional use hearings are sent by the City Clerk (contact City Clerk at 874-7207).
Development agreement: A contract between the City and a property owner, land developer, or other party in interest describing the terms and conditions of land development, typically entered to define responsibilities for project-related public improvements.
Development plan: In certain “planned” zoning districts, a development plan is a required site plan illustrating, accurately and to scale, all planned improvements on a property. The development is governed by the general regulations of the district as well as a statement of intent that lists the uses proposed, maximum gross square feet of floor area, maximum building height, minimum percentage of the site to be maintained in open space, and, at the discretion of the applicant, other aspects of development. Development plans are accompanied by design parameters that include minimum distances between buildings or structures and property lines, free standing sign specifications, minimum percentage of the site to be maintained in open space, and maximum height and number of light poles and fixture types. The design parameters and statement of intent govern future plan changes.
Information meeting: A public meeting at which staff provides an informal summary of new applications received in the Department and explain the procedures for their review and approval. Other information meetings may be used to inform the public of a new planning project.
Overlay districts: A special purpose zoning classification that modifies the underlying zoning classification due to distinctive characteristics of the property within the overlay area. City overlay districts include F-1 Flood Plain; S-R Scenic Road; U-C Urban-Conservation; and M-U Underground Space.
Planned zoning districts: Those zoning districts that require development plan approval by the City Council prior to development or redevelopment of the property. Planned districts are intended “to enable innovation and flexibility in design and to promote environmentally sound and efficient use of land.” Office, commercial, or industrial planned districts have as their objectives to allow certain uses in locations where a broad range of conventionally zoned uses might be inappropriate and to encourage development of such scale and character that it will be harmonious with surrounding areas and minimize any adverse impacts. Residential planned districts have as their objectives to allow a mixture of housing types and densities in proximity to each other and to provide for more usable and suitably-located open space and amenities than would otherwise be provided under conventional land development standards. Types of planned districts: RMH Residential Manufactured Home, PUD Planned Unit Development, O-P Planned Office, C-P Planned Business, M-P Planned General Industrial, and M-R Research, Development and Office Park.
Subdivision: The division of a property into two or lots or parcels for sale. A subdivision plat maps the division of property. Preliminary plats are maps of the intent to divide a property into lots. Final plats are prepared to actually divide property and are recorded in the Boone County recorders office after approval. The Subdivision Regulations, Chapter 25 of the Columbia City Code, contains the requirements for the preparation and review of subdivision plats as well as required land improvements.
Vacation, street (including alleys) or easement: Relinquishment of the rights to a public street, alley, or utility right-of-way or easement.
Variance: A modification of a subdivision or zoning regulation as it applies to a specific piece of property. Variances may be considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission as part of a proposed zoning, development plan, or subdivision proceeding, or they may be considered by the Board of Adjustment for new construction or new additions on property that already has appropriate zoning.
Zoning map amendment (“rezoning”): A change in the zoning classification of property. Zoning classifications define the permitted uses and height and area regulations applicable to a property.
Contact the Planning and Development Department at planning@GoColumbiaMo.com or 573-874-7239 for more information.
Additional information including meeting agendas, reports, city plans, ordinances and application forms are available on the department web page.
Your comments and suggestions regarding this service are welcome. Contact:
Timothy Teddy, AICP
Director, Department of Planning and Development
City of Columbia
701 E. Broadway
Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
573-874-7318 (direct)
573-874-7239 (Planning and Development)
573-874-7546 (fax)
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