Columbia, Tennessee

Zoning Ordinance
   

Duncan Associates worked with Columbia to bring the City's zoning ordinance into the 21st century. This was the first significant revision to the ordinance since the 1970's.
Columbia is located approximately 45 minutes south of Nashville on I-65 and is the Maury County Seat. The City still has a traditional downtown courthouse square and almost all of the buildings in the central business district are actively being used. In some ways, downtown Columbia embodied 'smart growth' before the term was invented. Parts of the City developed after the wide-scale use of the automobile reflect a more typical suburban pattern. There is a pronounced segregation of

uses and ownership of a car is almost mandatory. The rules and regulations in effect prior to the ordinance rewrite project perpetuated this style of development. One of the key goals of the zoning ordinance rewrite is to encourage development that compliments the City's traditional pattern. The revised zoning ordinance provides for a rich mixture of uses in many of the City's zoning districts, and contains a more sophisticated approach to buffering between different uses. The basic concept is that external impacts, and not the actual use, are the real concern. For example, the revised language allows a dentist to operate a small office in a residential district provided certain standards are met, such as increased buffers adjacent to residences, completely screened parking, and location along an arterial or perimeter street.
Furthermore, the document was significantly revised to enhance the usability for the applicant, City staff, and the public. Not only does this encourage quality development by making the process more transparent, but it fosters sensitive investment by leveling the playing field and making the process more predictable.

Period:    February 2004 - November 2005               Contact:  David Holderfield
Team:      Duncan Associates                                                 Planning Director
                                                                                          931.388.1339