Tagged: columbia city council

The Columbia City Council was scheduled to vote Monday on a rezoning request that would allow a Break Time convenience store to be built at Rock Quarry Road and Grindstone Parkway, but MFA Oil withdrew the request.

MFA Oil withdrew its rezoning plan because neighbors in the area signed a petition against it. Phebe Lamar, an attorney for MFA Oil, said it soon became clear the City Council wouldn’t approve the plan.

Lamar said MFA Oil has done a lot to address the concerns of neighboring residents.

It’s now against the law to possess fireworks within the city of Columbia. City Council members voted Monday night to amend the city code, making it easier for police to enforce fireworks restrictions. Owner of Bob’s Fireworks, Bob Gereau says the change could hurt his business since many of his customers live in Columbia.

It’s back to the drawing board for Columbia residents fighting a rezoning that would put a new Break Time in their neighborhood near Grindstone Parkway and Rock Quarry Road.

Columbia has increased building permit fees for the first time since 1996. Last Monday, the Columbia City Council approved the fee along with several others.

Columbia has maintained the same fee for all building permits the last 16 years, but with an overworked inspection staff and need for additional revenue, the city decided to raise its permit fee.

The Columbia City Council is considering a ban on possessing fireworks within the city limits.

The proposed law would make possession of fireworks a misdemeanor. The existing law prohibits the sale, manufacture and use of fireworks inside the city.

Columbia Police Sergeant Jill Schlude says existing laws restrict officers’ ability to respond to complaints. Shooting usually stops before they arrive.

“It just became a real issue – that enforcement was close to impossible based on the current language,” Schlude says.