Columbia Commission reviews rezoning request for 1221 East N Street property

The City of Columbia, TN Council meeting held on July 9, 2025, addressed several key agenda items, with a significant focus on a rezoning request for a property located at 1221 East N Street.

The meeting began with a presentation regarding the request from TKC Architect and Engineering to rezone the property, identified as tax map 99, parcel 59.03. The proposal sought to change the zoning from CD 3L (Residential Large Lot Character District) to CD 3 (Neighborhood Character District). This property had previously been reviewed by the commission in February 2022, where a request to rezone to R6 was denied, resulting in the property retaining its CD 2 status.

The current applicant presented a nonbinding concept plan for 28 single-family homes, which aligns with the density requirements of 2.8 units per acre, while the zoning allows for a maximum of 4 units per acre. The proposal was noted to be consistent with the surrounding area, particularly referencing nearby homes on Hardwick Street, which feature smaller lots of 50 feet. The zoning ordinance mandates a minimum lot size of 65 feet, with provisions for 40-foot lots for rear-loaded products.

City staff recommended approval of the rezoning request, citing its alignment with the comprehensive plan for the city center and urban village, as well as adherence to the Connect Columbia framework policy. The applicant, Mr. Cole Newton, was present but indicated he had no additional comments beyond the proposal.

Council members engaged in discussions regarding the implications of the proposed density, noting that even at maximum capacity, the site could accommodate only up to 40 homes, considering the necessary infrastructure such as roads.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of the proposal in relation to the city’s growth and development strategy, with further discussions anticipated in future sessions.