Planning commission approves preliminary plat to extend William Street toward Congaree River

The City of Columbia Planning Commission on a voice vote approved a preliminary plat to extend William Street between Blossom Street and Senate Street and to build related extensions of Devine, Green and Pendleton streets, the commission heard at its July meeting.

The approval covers S Plat 2025-0046, a roughly 65-acre project that includes about 4,700 linear feet of new roadway, sidewalks on both sides of most new streets, landscaping, street lighting, bicycle facilities, a bridge and a roundabout at the intersection of William Street and Green Street. Developer representatives said the project is intended as a “backbone investment” to support future development and to improve access to the riverfront park area.

Project engineer Travis Bass, with Gay Bell, told the commission the design seeks narrower, variable right‑of‑way widths—between about 65 and 79 feet in some sections—rather than the city’s standard 100‑foot arterial width. “By minimizing the right of way, we’re maximizing the development potential for this site,” Bass said. He said full utility infrastructure will be installed now so future development does not require tearing up the new street.

The applicant and staff said the project includes stormwater treatment on‑site before discharge to the Congaree River, limited wetland and floodplain impacts tied mainly to the downstream portion of Devine Street, and that the applicant will pursue a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers nationwide permit (Nationwide Permit 14) and any required floodplain certifications. Staff told commissioners that the preliminary plat was found to be in “substantial conformance” with the approved sketch plan and the standards of the Unified Development Ordinance (section 17‑2.5.j.6).

Public commenters expressed general support and some concerns. Bob Geld, of the Granby Neighborhood Association, said neighborhood residents support the river access but urged a full traffic signal at the new William and Blossom intersection, criticizing the decision—in his words—that the Department of Transportation would not permit a full signal now. “DOT vetoed putting in a full traffic signal, and that’s just shameful,” Geld said. Applicant representatives and staff said the project will install infrastructure for a HAWK pedestrian signal now with mast arms and conduit so the intersection can be converted to a conventional traffic signal in the future if traffic warrants it.

Commissioners’ approval was conditional on addressing all staff comments in the case summary. In its motion the commission also asked staff and the applicant to consider striping and pedestrian/bicycle markings at the Pendleton–William and Devine–William intersections; the motion noted those striping requests as items for staff review and later administrative approval. The motion was passed by voice vote; the record does not show numeric tallies.

If construction proceeds, staff and the applicant said additional permits will be required from federal and state agencies for work in the floodplain and wetlands and separate approvals from DOT for alterations within DOT‑maintained right‑of‑way. The applicant said project funding includes state transportation funds and Richland County’s Transportation Penny program.

The commission’s action moves the project to next steps including final engineering, permitting with the Corps of Engineers and FEMA where required, and addressing the staff conditions the commission specified.