Columbia Council to Oppose Variance for North Fourth Street Building; Borough Will Send Representative to Zoning Hearing

Columbia Borough Council voted Tuesday to send a representative to oppose a proposed zoning variance that would allow use of the first floor of a North Fourth Street building for religious services. The council authorized a borough representative to appear at the zoning hearing board on July 30 to state the borough’s opposition. The council said the variance raises two core zoning issues: the use is not permitted in the downtown commercial district and the building does not meet the code’s minimum square footage requirements for the proposed use. Council members also raised concerns about parking and how often services would be held, though those points were described as ancillary to the two formal zoning deficiencies the hearing board will address. Council members discussed the application after the planning commission declined to take a position, saying too many questions remained. Councilmember Kaufman moved, and Councilmember Brigard seconded, to appoint a borough representative to appear in opposition at the July 30 zoning hearing board meeting. The motion carried on a voice vote with no opposition. Council President Kaufman and borough staff said the borough can speak at the hearing to outline the borough’s position and raise additional neighborhood concerns, such as parking impacts and frequency of services, even if the hearing board’s formal review will focus on permitted use and minimum size. Borough zoning staff said they expected to attend the hearing as the borough’s representative; council members indicated other elected officials could also speak if needed. If the zoning hearing board rules in favor of the applicant, council members noted the borough retains the right to appeal the board’s decision in court. The council did not take action on any tax or financial questions related to the property; members said tax-exempt status is a separate process that would follow any change in use. The hearing was scheduled for July 30, 2025, and borough staff said they would notify council of who ultimately represented the borough at the hearing. A follow-up: Councilmembers requested clarity on the applicant’s intended frequency of services and expected attendance; those answers were not provided at the council meeting and were listed as outstanding questions.