Planning Commission approves major site plan for 221‑unit development at Park and Senate Street

The City of Columbia Planning Commission on Nov. 13 approved a major site plan for a seven‑story multifamily development at the northwest corner of Park and Senate Street. The approved plan calls for 221 apartments, a parking garage providing 198 spaces, 3,400 square feet of retail on the ground floor, and 260 bicycle parking spaces. Staff told the commission it has reviewed the traffic and site materials and determined the plan meets the UDO site‑plan decision standards, recommending approval subject to staff comments.

Matt Swedenberg of Subtext, the development team representative, said the project is targeted at young professionals and that DDRC review of architecture occurred and resulted in minor adjustments to materiality; architect Neil Reardon described minor tweaks to brick and exterior zones but said no major site changes were required. Commissioners pressed on parking and traffic: the applicant said the majority of garage spaces would serve residents, with a small portion for retail and leasing‑center guests, and said they are negotiating with a nearby parking deck to lease an additional 50–100 spaces to help with area demand. Staff confirmed additional parking is encouraged but not required for site‑plan approval.

A traffic impact study reviewed by city traffic engineering recommended circulation adjustments (including one‑way ingress/egress on two entries); staff said the site plan meets Section 17‑2.5.I.6 of the UDO. The commission approved the major site plan conditional on satisfying staff comments.

Next steps: the applicant must address staff comments and complete any outstanding DDRC items and conditions listed in the staff report before permits are issued.