Tell Us What You Think
Throughout the project, we'll be collecting public input to inform the updated Zoning Ordinance. We encourage you to utilize the tools below to provide your ideas and feedback on the project.
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One of the goals of the ConnectColumbia Framework Plan is to promote additional housing opportunities to accommodate retirees and young professionals. As part of the project, we'll be reviewing the Zoning standards to permit smaller lot and home sizes to encourage such developments. What are some housing types that you think are missing in Columbia? Upload a photo and tell us why!
View All Ideas3 months ago
More affordable options
Columbia is NOT Nashville, that being said the median income this city has is around 30k-50k. Recently we've seen homelessness rise in our community. We need to be strategic, we need a homeless shelter NOW to get ahead of this before we lose a handle on it before it becomes worse. We have the space for more affordable housing, and housing for those with bad credit. We cannot continue to allow the citizens of this city to go without a home. Restructuring, zoning are all good, but what good is it if you're forcing out a struggling community to make way for people with pockets built for New York or California.
3 months ago
Tiny homes and other alternative housing solutions.
I’m medically disabled and self-employed, but because I don’t have kids there are no resources for me in housing and other aid resources. The “affordable housing” isn’t much cheaper than market costs and it requires you to be in a very small window of annual income to stay qualified. The mobile home situation here is pretty dire — so many dilapidated “parks.” Seems you could make one big park with nicer trailers and safer neighborhoods. That’s how it’s done up north. Tiny home communities are more attractive and can help folks like me, homeless people, young students renting to own. Detroit has sure done a lot with tiny homes.
5 months ago
In-Law Cottage - Young Professionals Caring for Retired Parents
Hello, Columbia! In-law suites should have separate considerations on single family residential properties. We moved to Columbia a year ago with our 4 children with the ultimate plan of moving my husband's disabled, retired parents to us to avoid them having to go to nursing care. We were about to buy the home we've been renting only to find out that the codes/zoning laws will not allow us to convert the wood shop which already exists out back (with its own septic and electric) to a residential space. This seems inconsistent as there seems to be a duplex just across the street and apartments and more duplexes just down the road. What is a family like ours to do without affordable options? An add-on would simply not be in our budget especially because of the wheelchair accessibility issues we need to overcome. Certainly we do not wish to see the entire street become multi-plexes or even more apartments and duplexes by a rash zoning change. However, can we have the discussion about how to adopt plans for multi-generational affordable housing to keep elders home longer? Could there be variances allowed for structures which already exist to be reallocated for situations like these? What about allowing families to prove kinship and age for intended use?
4 months ago
Homeless shelters
You build them, people will come. Enough said??
5 months ago
Lack of Retirement Advancement Friendly Housing
Many of the multifamily developments are townhomes with stairs and/or upstairs bedrooms. While that's likely reasonable for younger retirees that are transitioning out of the workforce, this is not feasible for many retirees in advanced age, as they cannot handle stairs. It would be great some see some ground floor living and/or condo developments for seniors/retirees to avoid ongoing relocation through aging.
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One of the goals of the ConnectColumbia Framework Plan is to require the use of quality building materials in historic and commercial areas. What types of building materials do you think are appropriate in Columbia's historic neighborhoods? What materials do you think are inappropriate? Share a photo to help illustrate your idea!
View All Ideas4 months ago
Architectural review guidelines
Some of the design guidelines for the architectural review board are out of date. Some metal exterior wall panels look great and are also durable. They do not have the look of the traditional metal building.
5 months ago
Skip the Vinyl
Skip the low quality vinyl siding that deteriorates quickly in the southern heat. The warped, mildewed, and damaged siding is unappealing when you're driving down major areas. Opt for brick and higher quality materials to reflect the downtown charm.
6 months ago
Eco Friendly materials and architecture.
Repurposing and using available green-centric building materials is an opportunity for a small town like us to set an example and work towards a more sustainable community. Buildings that feature and compliment trees, green space and community gardens. Green roofs and rainwater collection as well as energy reducing windows and machinery.
6 months ago
Fit the Character and Ecofriendly
I think new houses, developments, and businesses should attempt to fit the character of the neighborhood. Particularly repurposing older buildings. The old warehouse buildings could be rebuilt in that same style and used as apartments with stores below. Multi-unit developments, chain stores, and big box stores should be saved for less historic areas of Columbia. Columbia is on its way to becoming a tourist town. I have heard more and more people coming attracted by the small businesses in downtown. These should be protected and more should be helped in the arts district and other neighborhoods within walking distance of town.New businesses should be required to be as ecofriendly as possible. We are situated on one of the most biodiverse rivers in North America. That itself is becoming a tourist attraction with more people coming to kayak, hike, and mountain bike along the Duck. Green and ecofriendly materials should be used to protect our environment.
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One of the goals of the ConnectColumbia Framework Plan is to review and revise the Zoning Ordinance to ensure that context-responsive infill regulations will adequately protect existing neighborhoods from redevelopment pressures that are not in keeping with the scale and form of adjacent buildings. Show us an example of an infill project that you think does (or doesn't!) fit in its surroundings. Explain why! We'll use these examples to provide revised standards for infill development.
View All Ideas6 months ago
The new multi-family housing in riverside
I do not want a multi-unit development in riverside! I worry about packing in to many people into a small lot in the riverside neighborhood. I worry the developers and the city will not keep with the unique and historic architecture of this are and they will try to cram as many units as possible into that space.
6 months ago
No condo/apartment/townhouse development in the Riverside neighborhood.
If infill is supposed to be fitting to the surrounding area then approving the building of condos, apartments, or townhouses in Riverside (around the intersection of Moore Dr. and Riverside Dr.) is absolutely going against that. This plan should not be approved for this neighborhood, single family homes that fit with the character of the existing homes around it would be a great use of the land.
6 months ago
Multi-Unit Developments
I am against the multi unit development in Riverside. It does not match the character of the neighborhood. I would love to see this area kept as green space because of the many adult/large trees. It would be a great expansion to the riverwalk to add hiking and biking trails here. I The property is situated directly above the River and next to some great local restaurants. It would be great to make them feel more connected to Downtown and the Riverwalk. It is also next to the CPWS station and you could educate visitors and residents on power and water systems.Most importantly I do not think the multi-unit development fits the historical Riverside neighborhood or any of the historic parts of Columbia. West 7th, Riverside, downtown and the arts district should be protected from being turned into Condos.
6 months ago
Riverside should remain single-family homes
Riverside is a neighborhood made up of single-family homes and has been for a long time. This is an historic area that will not benefit from the addition of condos or apartments. Traffic will be affected and the charm of our old neighborhood will suffer. Please, please find another place to build these. They do not make sense in Riverside. Thank you.
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Got a big idea about zoning in Columbia? Share it here! You can even add an image to help illustrate your thoughts.
View All Ideas5 months ago
Require Green Space
Require green space, walking trails, and landscaping as part of all new communities by setting a minimum threshold. Many new communities feature green spaces that are purely retention ponds and nothing more. Require landscaping and trees to reflect what was destroyed for developers to clear land. Opt to require common areas with walking trails, gazebos, seating, etc. to help support community settings.
3 months ago
Amusement and Fun
I think Columbia needs to become another leader when it comes to the mid south. That said, many people are tired of having to drive hours to go to a water park. It gets super hot here in Tennessee as we all know. Why not repurpose some land and let's get them tourist dollars and build more jobs? Nothing is stopping us from getting our own water park. We definitely have space for it. So let's use it. No I'm not kidding! It'll boost the economy, it'll give our kids something to do during the summertime. And it'll bring people from all over. It's about time we extend our horizons.
3 months ago
Traffic light on trotwood/pleasant drive
We really need a light at trotwood and pleasant drive. It’s getting increasingly hard to leave our neighborhood because of how busy the road has gotten. Also, I see a lot of people walking down trotwood. It would be nice if there were sidewalks for the pedestrians, so they don’t get hit by people that constantly drive illegally on the shoulder to go around cars they are too impatient to wait on. I’m always worried someone will be injured.
about 1 month ago
Have the police enforce the fire zones
Have the police enforce the fire zones in front of pizza hut and papa johns. You have to pull toward the income traffic to get around them
5 months ago
Consideration for Traffic Patterns and Busy Areas
There is generally a lack of consideration for traffic impacts when these large communities or developments are approved, which is a MAJOR downfall for young professionals. You'll chase off young professionals and those transitioning to family life if the commute AFTER I65 is even more unreasonable. There needs to be additional infrastructure consideration before you chase any young couples/families away from the area to move closer to work and/or out of Maury county entirely.
