City Manager’s Spotlight – March 2019
March 1, 2019
The City Manager’s Spotlight provides details about what is happening in the City of Columbia in an effort to keep citizens informed about City operations. The City Manager’s Spotlight on March 2019 reflects important initiatives that will highlight major projects in the City of Columbia as well as events and upcoming meetings. Here is a snapshot of the March Spotlight.
March 2019
Columbia Compass: Envision 2036 Interactive Online Survey
The City of Columbia has released a second interactive online survey in order to gather feedback on the draft recommendations of Columbia Compass, the ten-year update to the City of Columbia’s comprehensive plan. The survey is mostly multiple choice and should take 10-15 minutes to complete. Project team received almost 1,200 responses to the Fall 2018 survey, and that feedback, as well as the feedback provided in this second survey, will help drive the plan’s recommendations.
The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5C8TWHK
ABOUT COLUMBIA COMPASS
The planning process will result in a vision and document which can help guide City Council as they Envision 2036 – when Columbia will celebrate its 250th year, or semiquincentennial. Elements of the plan research and analysis will include Columbia’s population, natural resources, land use, transportation, housing, community facilities, cultural resources, and economic development. This 12 to 18-month effort will result in a plan that the City’s citizens and policy makers can use as a blueprint to help navigate our future. Your input is vital as we seek to define a vision for Columbia, and identify the policies, programs, and infrastructure investments necessary to make that vision a reality.
For more information about Columbia Compass: Envision 2036, visit www.columbiacompass.org, follow @ColaCompass on Facebook or Twitter, or contact the Planning and Development Services Department at 803-545-3222. Please also consider signing up for our email list to be notified of future events and engagement opportunities by visiting our website!
8-15 March, 2019
Application Process Open for Accommodations Tax & Hospitality Tax Grant Funding Fiscal Year 2019/2020
The City of Columbia is now accepting applications for Hospitality and Accommodations Tax Grants for the 2020 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020.) Applications are due by 12:00 pm on the dates listed below.
Accommodations Tax Grant (Due March 8, 2019, by 12:00 pm) The Accommodations Tax Grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations and their projects/events whose mission is to attract tourists by promoting overnight accommodations in the City of Columbia. To be eligible, your organization must be a nonprofit with documentation from the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office, with activities in the City of Columbia. It is the intent of the Accommodations Tax Grant Committee to fund the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Visitors Bureau and Capital City Lake Murray for the coming fiscal year.
Hospitality Tax Grant (Due March 15, 2019, by 12:00 pm) The Hospitality Tax Grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations and their projects/events whose mission is to attract tourists by promoting dining in the City of Columbia. To be eligible, your organization must be a nonprofit with documentation from the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office, with activities in the City of Columbia.
For complete A-Tax and H-Tax grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application links go to: https://www.columbiasc.net/grants/offered
For specific questions or information on our Accommodations, Hospitality, and General Fund Grants offered, please contact Ms. Dee Dee Fanning via email at [email protected] or via phone at (803) 545-3048.
9 March, 2019
City to Host All Access Columbia
The City of Columbia’s Community Development Department will host an All Access Columbia workshop. All Access Columbia is a workshop that gives citizens information about neighborhood leadership, financial education, homeownership, and home maintenance. All Access Columbia will allow citizens to build relationships with local banks, financial institutions, credit counselors and more.
The All Access Columbia workshop will be held on a quarterly basis. During this quarter, the topic will be focused on neighborhood leadership. Citizens will have the opportunity to learn about capacity building practices and community grant writing.
Free giveaways and lunch will be provided.
The All Access Columbia workshop will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at the Busby St. Community Center, 5212 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29203 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The workshop is free, but registration is encouraged. To register for the All Access Columbia workshop, please visit http://gate.columbiasc.gov/AAC2019/ or contact the Community Development Department at 803.545.3373.
16 March, 2019
St. Patrick’s Day Pet Adoption Special
WHAT: The Columbia Animal Services will be holding a St. Patrick’s Day pet adoption special for $17 on March 15 – 16. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip, Feline Leukemia/Heartworm Test, initial vaccines and deworming.
WHERE: Columbia Animal Services, 127 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC
WHEN: Friday, March 15 – Saturday, March 16, 2019
Cost: $17 per pet
19 March, 2019
Zoning Ordinance & Land Development Regulations Public Hearing
The City of Columbia will hold a public hearing in support of the adoption of the Unified Development Ordinance, which is the replacement of the current Zoning and Land Development Ordinance.
The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at City Hall, 1737 Main St. at 7 p.m. The hearing is open to the public to voice their thoughts and/or concerns prior to adoption.
This is the first major rewrite of the ordinance that governs the development of land since the 1970s. The four major goals of this project are to:
- Create a user-friendly code
- Implement Plan Columbia
- Modernize regulations to more strongly support infill and redevelopment
- Support sustainable development practices.
The draft and additional background information is available for review at www.weplantogether.org.
For more information, please contact Planning and Development Services at 803-545-3333.
30 March, 2019
City of Columbia Urges Recognition of Earth Hour
The City of Columbia urges citizens to participate in Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2019. Joining hundreds of millions of other cities, businesses, and organizations across the globe.
The City of Columbia has also encouraged all employees to turn off all non-essential lights and equipment when leaving their work sites on Friday, March 29, 2019, in order to help observe Earth Hour the following day. Citizens are also encouraged to join in the effort to increase energy by turning off lights and unplugging nonessential appliances using electricity in their homes.
City of Columbia is hosting a Twilight Nature Walk at Riverfront North, 4122 River Drive. This prelude to Earth Hour is limited to 25 people, and will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Come explore nature and stay for the sunset.
For more, information. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-of-columbia-twilight-nature-walk-for-earth-hour-2019-tickets-55728298842?aff=utm_source%3Deb_email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew_event_email&utm_term=eventname_text
For additional information, please contact Public and Media Relations at 803-545-3020.
Upcoming Meetings
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission meeting will take place on March 4, 2019, at 4 p.m. at Eau Claire Print Building 3907 Ensor Avenue Columbia, SC 29203.
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will take place on March 12, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Eau Claire Print Building 3907 Ensor Avenue Columbia, SC 29203.
Design and Development Review Commission
The Design and Development Review Commission meeting will take place on March 14, 2019, at 4 p.m. at Eau Claire Print Building 3907 Ensor Avenue Columbia, SC 29203.
City Council Meeting
On March 19, 2019, City Council Public Hearing | Rewriting of Zoning and Land Development Ordinance | City Hall, 1737 Main Street | 7:00 pm
