Planning commission recommends rezoning of five House/Yuma/McDuffie parcels despite split staff recommendation

The Columbia City Planning Commission on March heard a request to rezone five parcels at 1222 and 1230 House Street, 2502 and 2506 Yuma Street and 1225 McDuffie Avenue (ZMA-2025-0005), and voted to recommend approval to City Council.

The request would rezone the properties from Residential Single-Family Small Lot (RSF-3) to Residential Mixed District (RM-2). Staff told the commission the recommendation was split: they recommended approval for the three western parcels facing House Street and denial for the two eastern parcels because the area is referenced by the Plan for Redevelopment of East Central City (02/2004), which supports preserving single-family infill in parts of the neighborhood.

Anthony A. Dix, CEO of Friendship Development Corporation and pastor of Friendship Church, which faces the lots, told the commission his organization has discussed the proposal with neighbors and intends to develop duplexes oriented toward House Street. “It’s been our desire over the years to make a dent in the housing needs of Columbia, South Carolina,” Dix said. He said the applicant would combine the five lots to create the space needed and intends to work with staff to ensure buildings fit the surrounding homes.

Commissioners asked whether the commission must act on all parcels together or could recommend different outcomes for parts of the application; staff said the commission could recommend approval, denial or a split recommendation. The commission moved and voted to recommend approval for the rezoning as submitted. The motion passed on a voice vote.

The case will next go to City Council, where staff cautioned that Council could approve only a portion of the request without sending the matter back to the Planning Commission.