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Columbia BZA approves late-night operations for 920 Lady Street restaurant
Summary
The City of Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals on July 3 approved a special exception allowing a Type 2 eating and drinking establishment at 920 Lady Street to remain open past midnight, with conditions including no live entertainment and use of SLED‑certified ID scanners.
The City of Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals on July 3 approved a special exception allowing a restaurant and bar at 920 Lady Street to remain open past midnight, giving the applicant the option to operate until 2 a.m. subject to staff conditions.
The approval permits a Type 2 eating and drinking establishment — the zoning category that allows later hours in specified districts — after the board considered operating hours, staffing, food service, parking and other conditions the board must review for this class of use.
Applicant Matt Schmanski told the board he bought the building about six weeks ago and is finishing required inspections and licensing. "If business allows, the plan is to stay open up to 2 a.m.," Schmanski said. He said he will remove the dance floor, prohibit live bands and DJs, and add seating to emphasize an eating establishment rather than a late‑night dance venue. Schmanski also said required approvals are in place: a beer, wine and liquor license; a Department of Agriculture food service license; approval for grease removal; and a City of Columbia business license.
Schmanski described security and entry screening planned for the site. "We’re also going to be using ID scanners. I have the SLED certified unit by IntelliCheck on site," he said, referring to a vendor-verified identification scanner recommended by state and city guidance.
Board members discussed neighborhood context and downtown activity after midnight, noting the applicant’s proposal is consistent with the location’s past use. After brief discussion the board moved to approve the special exception "pending staff comments," and the chair called for the vote; the motion passed on an affirmative voice vote.
The approval is subject to the standard conditions the board applies to Type 2 establishments, including the days and hours of operation, staffing schedule, menu and hours of food service, parking arrangements and a seating plan drawn to scale; the board recorded that those items are included in the packet and that final approval is contingent on staff review and any required conditions. The applicant indicated he would not offer live music or DJ entertainment.
The board also noted for the record that a different agenda item (20250016‑SC, a special exception for 5334 Fairfield Road) was deferred to Aug. 7; that deferred item was not discussed further during this meeting.
The board adjourned following the vote.
