Board approves micro school, sign variance and two residential care special exceptions

COLUMBIA, S.C. 27 The City of Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 4 approved multiple special exceptions and a sign-variance request, clearing four items moved from the consent agenda to the regular docket.

Key votes at the meeting:

- 1433 Gregg Street (special exception): Approved a request to establish a micro school (Open Learning Academy pilot) serving elementary-age special-needs students in an existing MU-1 building. Applicant Virginia Wells said the program would open with two classes of roughly six to eight students and that the building would remain intact while a small playground would be added. The board approved the special exception subject to staff comments.

- 1431 Assembly Street (temporary sign variance): Approved a variance to increase the maximum display area for temporary signage at Richland Library. Keosha Boyles, marketing and communications director for Richland Library, said the increased temporary sign area would be used to promote free public programming and that the staff-recommended condition (that total permanent plus temporary signage not exceed the site standard) was acceptable. Staff noted the site's total allowable sign area is about 708 square feet and recommended a condition tying temporary signage to future permanent signage so total display area does not exceed the standard.

- 3332 Leesburg Road A (residential care facility for adult women): Jacqueline Chisholm, founder and CEO of When You Can't Cope There is Hope Transition House, requested a special exception to operate a transitional residential care facility. The application was amended during review from 10 to six residents after SCAR certification requirements showed the property had only one full bathroom and one half bath, which does not meet requirements for 10 residents. Chisholm said residents are not allowed to have personal vehicles while in the program; staffing, quiet hours and a transportation plan were described in the application. The board approved the special exception subject to staff comments.

- 1925 Marion Street (intake and assessment center for children): Lutheran Services Carolinas sought a special exception to use 1925 Marion Street as an intake and assessment center for children entering the child-welfare system. Bethany Boss, executive director for child and adult services for Lutheran Services Carolinas, said the facility has operated at the location since 2019 and that children would stay no longer than seven days while clinicians determine appropriate placement. The Robert Mills Historic District Neighborhood Association, represented by Dr. Breedlove, reported having toured the facility and said the neighborhood did not anticipate negative impacts. The board approved the special exception subject to staff comments.

Each of the four items was moved from the consent agenda at the request of a speaker and voted on in open session. Votes were recorded by voice and the board adopted staff-recommended conditions where noted.

Why it matters: The approvals allow new local services to proceed: a micro school for students with specialized needs, expanded library advertising for public programs, a transitional home for women in recovery, and a short-term intake/assessment center to place children into appropriate child-welfare placements. Several of the items carried neighborhood engagement: the Robert Mills Historic District Neighborhood Association engaged with applicants and provided comments in support of two items.

Ending: The board concluded the meeting after the final votes and an extended hearing on a separate appeal (Quail Lane). The items approved at this meeting proceed subject to staff conditions and any required permitting steps.