"Code is King" - The City of Columbia's New Land Development Regulations


Tuesday, August 30, 2022

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

This Event is Open to the Public

Anyone Interested in Learning About Planning & Zoning is Welcome to Attend

OVERVIEW - How do the City's land development regulations work and why are they so important? The use of private property is regulated by the Zoning Ordinance. This session will introduce the concepts of conformity, non-conformity, and variance. Using the City of Columbia as a case study, participants will learn how the Zoning Ordinance regulates everything from the density of large subdivisions to where a food truck can park. This presentation will emphasize the importance of consistent application of the code and the limited instances where deviations are permitted.

The Zoning Ordinance is just one piece of the puzzle. When developers subdivide land and construct new infrastructure, they must adhere to standards established by the City of Columbia. The session will also identify how the Zoning Ordinance works in tandem with the Subdivision Regulations as well as the Engineering Standards & Specifications to create a high-quality built environment.

LOCATION - 700 N. Garden Street, Council Chambers (basement level)

RSVP - Please use the RSVP form at the bottom of this page to let us know that you are coming. This will help city staff prepare for the event. For more information contact Kevin McCarthy at kmccarthy@columbiatn.com or 931-560-1531.

  1. Kevin C. McCarthy, AICP
  2. Douglas Toney, P.E.
  3. Austin Brass, AICP

Kevin McCarthy is a Planning Associate with the City of Columbia, Tennessee. In this role, Kevin provides staff analysis of proposed developments and performs zoning reviews. He also provides analysis and primary staff support to the Historic Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Kevin holds a Master’s Degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of South Florida as well a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Florida State University. In 2016 he became a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). For most of his career Kevin has focused on strategy and program evaluation related to state-level housing policy. Prior to joining the City of Columbia, Kevin worked as an Advisor on the Research & Planning team at the Tennessee Housing Development Agency having previously served in a similar capacity at Florida’s state housing finance agency.

Continuing Education Opportunity

This event is approved for 1.5 hours of continuing maintenance for Members of the American Institute of Certified Planners. AICP members must attend the entire session in order to claim credit. The the CM event can be logged on the APA's website. Attendees who hold licenses and certifications in allied professions should check with their regulating bodies about whether attendance will count toward continuing education requirements. There will be an optional sign-in sheet at the event and city staff can help document attendance if needed.

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Columbia's Land Development Regulations

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Presentation Slide Decks

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