Board defers decision on proposed veterans residential facility at 3806 North Main after neighborhood concerns

The Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals on April 3 deferred a special-exception request to establish a residential care facility for veterans at 3806 North Main Street after neighbors and the board said the application lacked required materials and community outreach.

The applicant, Danyan Brinkley, described the project as a privately funded rental model for veterans that would provide long-term, independent apartments with supportive connections to veterans' services. "What I'm after is this: when I look at this piece of property ... it's perfect for being able to develop in the size apartments that the government is requiring," Brinkley told the board, and he described aims to help veterans "age in place." Mike Lester, who described himself as the project manager and contractor, said the plan is to renovate the existing building into apartments and then transfer operation to…