Board of Zoning Appeals grants variance for Shady Lane carport

The City of Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals on April 2, 2026 approved variance 2026-0005-V to allow an attached carport at 1610 Shady Lane to be built 3 feet from the south side property line, a reduction from the RSF1 district’s required 8-foot side-yard setback.

Zoning administrator Andrew Livengood told the board the subject lot is approximately 16,000 square feet with a roughly 3,500-square-foot house, and that the requested setback represents a roughly 63% reduction from the RSF1 requirement. Livengood noted that while a detached carport could be placed 3 feet from the property line under current rules, an attached carport must meet the principal-structure setback without a variance.

Applicant Ashley Shinta, speaking for herself and Justin Shinta, said the family chose an open, three-sided carport and emphasized family needs. "We have two small children. So the main reasoning to have the carport is to have some coverage to enter into the home, enter out of the home, inclement weather, things like that," she said. She added the applicants had contacted the adjacent neighbor, identified in the record as Grace Mary, who did not object.

A committee member asked whether a fence separates the proposed carport site from the neighbor; Ashley Shinta responded there is no fence at the location and none is planned. Livengood confirmed the project otherwise meets lot-coverage guidelines for the district.

A committee member moved to approve the variance; another committee member seconded. The board’s vote was recorded as "all in favor," and the motion carried. The record does not specify individual vote counts or the names of the members who moved or seconded the motion.

At the end of the meeting, Chair Katherine Fenner introduced Doug Thomas as an observer who is expected to be seated as a new board member next month. The board then adjourned.