City Council has been working on interim measures to regulate infill development since a 78 year old farm house was torn down in Heathwood despite the developer's promises.
In the wake of the unexpected demolition of a farm house sitting on more than two acres in one of Columbia's most affluent and historic areas, the debate has been renewed over the value of preserving the character of Columbia's older intown neighborhoods.

At a packed City Council meeting on August 15, 2007, Council approved the developent of an interim plan to address neighborhood concerns about inappropriate infill development until new ordinances could be developed. This plan will be in effect for 2 years while a task force develops guidelines for infill development in Columbia in the future.

A public meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 1 pm in City Council Chambers was open for any and all persons to express their opinion about interim measures regarding subdivisions, demolitions, and McMansions, or any other related topic. At this meeting, infill developer Chris Dorsey and attorney Robert Lewis presented a proposal for a committee to review demolition and subdivisions in neighborhoods with historic designation.

At the September 5 City Council meeting, the Dorsey-Lewis plan was reported to be unlawful under current regulations. Council responded by modifying a plan presented by Marc Mylott, Director of Development Services, to provide for review of demolitions, subdivisions and removal of structures according to the principles and guidelines currently employed by the DDRC (Design/Development Review Commission). This review will be applied to neighborhoods with current historic designation and those seeking historic designation (Cottontown, Heathwood, Hollywood/Rose Hill, Shandon, and Wales Garden).

Other neighborhoods recognized by the Columbia Council of Neighorhoods will be allowed to opt in to the plan by placing

"a) an item upon the agenda of a regularly scheduled neighborhood association meeting labeled “DISCUSS AND/OR VOTE UPON ITERIM MEASURES FOR COMMUNITY CHARACTER PROTECTION” and shall cause this agenda to be widely circulated at least 30 days prior to the meeting. At a minimum, the circulation of this agenda shall also include a copy of the interim measures and a map of the neighborhood association.

b) At the meeting, the neighborhood association shall provide a sign-up sheet upon which persons may record their attendance.

c) At the meeting, the neighborhood association shall conduct a vote upon the following question: Do you wish to ask City Council to apply Interim Measures for Community Character Protection to the neighborhood association?

d) If a majority of those persons present vote “yes” to the above question, then the president of the neighborhood association shall send a letter to the Zoning Administrator and the Preservation Planner requesting that the neighborhood association be considered for interim measures (hereinafter referred to as an “opt-in letter”). The letter shall describe the ways in which the agenda/notice was circulated, a copy of the agenda and sign-up sheet, and a breakdown of the vote (number of “ayes” and “nays’).

This plan will be debated at the City Council meeting on September 19, 2007.

Read more about the current status...