The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners approved an engagement with land‑use attorney Patrick Kurchowski of the firm Balch & Bingham to provide outside legal representation and advice on planning, zoning and the county's land development regulations (LDRs).

County staff and the county attorney told commissioners the volume and complexity of planning and zoning issues had increased and that a dedicated, specialist attorney would provide better appellate independence and targeted expertise. The county attorney said the board regularly receives multiple daily inquiries on planning and zoning matters and that LDRs and state law are evolving rapidly; the proposed engagement was presented as a resource to reduce legal and financial risk on complex development matters.

Kurchowski described his experience representing local governments and developers and told the board he would act as a resource to staff and commissioners as needed. The firm’s initial quoted rate was described in the meeting as above $600 an hour, with Kurchowski offering a reduced rate of $500 an hour "as long as we can guarantee him certain levels," and the county attorney said the county would be buying firm resources, not just an individual counsel.

Some commissioners and members of the public urged issuing a solicitation (RFP or RFQ) to compare proposals; one commissioner noted that the city attorney position had been advertised previously and suggested the county follow a similar competitive process. The board nevertheless moved and approved the engagement letter by voice vote.

Why it matters: Hiring outside land‑use counsel is a direct response to increased development pressure and shifting state statutes that can affect local zoning authority; specialized counsel can affect how the county drafts LDRs and defends decisions against appeal, with potential legal and fiscal consequences for the county.

What’s next: Staff will finalize the engagement letter and coordinate Kurchowski's role with county staff and the consultant revising LDRs; commissioners said they expect Kurchowski to appear as needed and to assist with drafting clearer LDR language to reduce future litigation and administrative risk.