Columbia City Council approved the site for new student housing, in addition to recognizing local officers for outstanding service Monday night.
Council members discussed a new apartment complex, The Grove, being put in on the corner of Grindstone Parkway and Rock Quarry Road. The Grove’s impact on storm water runoff caused concern among some council members because once the property is built, the plants that previously retained the water won’t be around.
“The inquiries are not about storm waters, which will be dealt with, which have to be dealt with,” said Dan Simon, a lawyer representing Campus Crest.
Simon said because The Grove’s plat met the requirements of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the requirements of the subdivision regulations, council members should stop wasting time with discussion about approving the plat.
“That being the case, this matter ends; the plat gets approved,” Simon said. “The law is clear. It has to be approved.”
Officers Laura Simpson and Brian Graff were awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for their efforts in saving the life of a woman during a domestic abuse call. Graff struck an intoxicated man while the two officers were investigating an emergency call Aug. 16. Simpson then broke the hold of the man who was strangling a woman during the dispute.
Mayor Bob McDavid also presented Fire Chief William Markgraf with a bill of appreciation in light of his retirement. He received a standing round of applause from the crowd.
A previously tabled amendment to the city code regarding parking near a mailbox resulted in a withdrawal of the motion by Second Ward Councilman Jason Thornhill.
The amendment would have prohibited parking to within 10 feet of a mailbox. After researching the subject, the council found restricting parking would virtually eliminate street parking in residential neighborhoods.
The credit card rebate fund issue was raised during the meeting. The first time the issue was addressed, the mayor had no idea there were thousands of dollars being overlooked. McDavid moved to put the $55,000 directly into a contingency fund: the same fund that was abolished last year because of lack of funds. The motion passed unanimously.
Developers of Broadway lodging were approved to receive $3.2 million for demolition of the old Regency Hotel on Short Street and Broadway Avenue. The new hotel will have seven stories and over 100 rooms.
“This hotel will prove to be one of the most significant private-sector new construction downtown projects for the next 20 years,” said Randy Gray, chairman of the Downtown Columbia Leadership Council.