Planning & Preservation - Planning & Development

We Are Planning for Downtown Columbia

We’ve recently kicked off the community planning process for a new strategic plan + design guidelines – and we want you to get involved!

Planning Division

The Planning Division engages citizens in conversations about Columbia’s future and plays a central role in guiding the long-term development of the built and natural environment. The Division’s seven staff members evaluate, monitor, and develop the City’s comprehensive plan, and land use policy; facilitate annexation; and work with neighborhood, historic preservation, and urban design projects.

Boards & Commissions

Division staff supports and presents cases to the Design/Development Review Commission (D/DRC) and Planning Commission (PC).

Urban Design

When high quality building and site design come together, they create urban settings that are vibrant and define the character of a city. The Planning Division is responsible for the review of projects within the City’s four urban design zoning overlay districts.

Historic Preservation

The Division supports historic preservation activities in Columbia by administering the City’s historic preservation ordinance which sets standards for districts and landmarks and through education and outreach efforts.

Long-Range Planning

Columbia Compass: Envision 2036 is the City’s ten-year comprehensive plan. This document, along with other neighborhood, area, and corridor plans, helps guide land use policy and decisions.

Current Projects

At any given time, Division staff is also developing education & outreach programs, working on tactical urbanism projects, facilitating community-based data collection, and more.

Annexation

Planning Division staff helps facilitate the annexation of property into the City of Columbia.

Multimodal Transportation

The Planning Division supports programs, policies, and projects that work to make Columbia a more walkable, bikable, and livable community. Staff also supports the work of the City’s Bike Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).