Board of Zoning Appeals (BoZA)
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BoZA) generally meets the second Tuesday of every month. Public hearings begin at 10 a.m. and are held at the 3rd Floor of City Hall (City Council Chambers), 1737 Main Street. BoZA may only hear cases that have been properly noticed by the Zoning Division (see Chapter 17, Article III, Division 3, Sections 111 and 112 of the City Code) and/or items that have been placed upon the agenda by the Zoning Division in accordance with Title 30, Chapter 4 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina.
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
The Board of Zoning Appeals shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the zoning administrator in the enforcement of the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, provided that those appeals must be taken within 30 days after the order, requirement, decision or determination which is alleged to be in error is made (§17-112 (1)).
SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS
The Board of Zoning Appeals may grant special exceptions for uses that the City Council believes are generally permissable but require review and approval on a case-by-case basis to ensure secondary impacts do not adversely impact traffic; vehicle and pedestrian safety; adjoining property in terms of noise, lights, fumes, and air flow; the aesthetic character of the environs; and the orientation and spacing of buildings (§17-112 (2)). See Chapter 17, Article III, Division 4, Section 17-112 of the City Code for a complete description of the special exception process. Click here for criteria for review of special exception.
VARIANCES
The Board of Zoning Appeals may grant a variance to certain provisions of the Zoning Ordiannce where a literal enforcement of the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship, provided that the spirit of the Zoning Ordinance shall be observed, public safety and welfare secured, and substantial justice done (§17-112 (3)a.1.). See Chapter 17, Article III, Division 4, Section 17-112 of the City Code for a complete description of the variance process. Click here for criteria for review of variance requests.
Applications and other necessary documents are available below. For more information contact Mike Conley at 803.545.3333 or cmconley@columbiasc.net
- Agendas
- Applications
- Approved Minutes
- 2009 Calendar (PDF)
- 2010 Calendar (PDF)
- Fee Schedule
- Members (PDF)
- Video of BoZA Meetings
NOTE: The above PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader.