Columbia board approves 100% variance for planted median at proposed Richard Street lay‑down yard

The Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a full variance from the planted‑median requirement for a proposed lay‑down yard at 7461 Richard Street.

Andrew Livingood, the city’s zoning administrator, told the board the landscaping standard requires an 840‑square‑foot planted median for vehicular surface areas greater than two acres and that the applicant was requesting a 100% variance to avoid providing that median. "The applicant is proposing a 100% variance from this standard to not provide the planted median," Livingood said.

The applicant said the planned facility — two commercial buildings and a roughly three‑acre asphalt and gravel lay‑down yard for a waterworks material supplier — is consistent with surrounding industrial uses and that neighborhood outreach had addressed residents’ concerns. During board discussion, a member noted the applicant’s packet stated a planted median could make circulation more difficult for large delivery vehicles and described the site’s extensive storage needs as a reason the standard would be impractical for this property.

After closing testimony with no members of the public speaking in opposition, a motion "to approve subject to staff comments" carried. The board’s discussion centered on whether the property’s operational needs created an extraordinary and exceptional condition that would justify relief from the landscape standard.

The variance was approved subject to conditions and staff comments; the board recorded the motion as carried.