The Columbia City Council voted to rezone more than 45 acres of land at its meeting Monday night. The Westbury Village Plot, known as the Tosini property, is located west of Scott Boulevard and north and south of Smith Drive. The property was approved to be rezoned into three separate sections, 3.31 acres of mixed use-neighborhood, 21.53 acres of mixed use-corridor and 20.3 acres of multiple-family dwelling.
The Planning and Zoning Commission did not support the rezoning of the plot, voting it down previous to Monday’s City Council meeting. Ward 4 City Councilmember Ian Thomas also expressed concerns of fair negotiation with current residents of the area.
“I encourage you (council members) to vote against this and to ask the owner and the developer to bring back the elements of the plan that are supported and have a proper negotiation with the residents and let’s come up with something better,” Thomas said.
Allison Nelson, a nearby resident of the 45-acre plot, raised the issue of stretching the electric supply to a new area without developing the current city infrastructure further. Nelson said the City Council needs to focus on current city issues.
Andy Struckhoff is the vice president of PGAV Planners. He said the project will provide amenities closer to residents in the southwest portion of Columbia. The project will bring grocery stores and coffee shops within walking distance to those who currently live more than two miles away from the closest stores Struckhoff said.
According to Columbia City Council, the cost of the public infrastructure expansion will be paid for by the developer of the property, Hamlet Limited Partnership, Joseph Tosini and Westbury Village. Ward 2 Councilmember Mike Trapp said the rezoning of the property fits its location.
“I think that this is appropriate for the area. And it’s going to well serve the people in the second ward who are going to be able to benefit by those nearby commercial services,” Trapp said.
The property is not expected to see development until 2021 according to City Council.