Planning Department
Contact Information
Planning Department
2020 Hampton Street 1st Floor
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 576-2190
Book an Appointment with Selected County Offices
Mission
The mission of the Department of Planning and Development Services is to create better communities in Richland County through a public planning process. This is accomplished by incorporating best practices for balancing environmental and economic concerns in County land use regulations, creating incentives for redeveloping sites, revitalizing communities and employing GIS illustrating data to make complex problems easier to understand.
Divisions and Programs
Comprehensive Planning
Neighborhood Planning
E-911 Addressing and Road Naming
Floodplain Management
Development Services
Boards and Commissions
Planning Commission
Board of Zoning Appeals
Zoning Public Hearings
2017 Meeting Dates
Broad River Road Commercial Facade Improvement Program
Application Submittal Period opens April 12th, 2021 and lasts through May 25th, 2021, or until all funds have been expended, whichever occurs first. Applications will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis.
The Richland County Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) has developed a Commercial Façade Improvement Program (CFIP) for the Broad River Road Corridor to encourage businesses to improve the exterior appearance of their buildings, storefronts, and signage. This program provides up to $15,000 per activity in funds to finance exterior improvements to a property owner or tenant’s commercial building. The program is designed to retain and attract businesses, strengthen the commercial corridor, increase utilization of existing businesses, restore economic vitality, and enhance property values.
Funding
The program provides for a one-time maximum funding of $15,000 of County investment per improvement for businesses and properties. Eligible projects do not require a funding match, with the County providing 100% of possible funding up to $15,000.
Payment will be issued to approved vendors upon receiving invoices on business letterhead. Richland County will be responsible for all procurement processes. NIP shall pay the approved vendor directly on behalf of the applicant for eligible improvement expenses not exceeding the approved amount. The Commercial Façade Improvement Program funds shall not be applied retroactively to work started prior to the start of the program nor can it be applied to costs accrued as part of the application submittal process.
Applicant Eligibility and Requirements
Eligibility for the program is for commercial businesses fronting Broad River Road from the 2200 block to the 3100 block (properties between the I-20 interchange and St. Andrews Road). The target area is within the Broad River Road Corridor and Community Master Plan, adopted by Richland County Council in 2010.
Applicants must be either the owner or tenant of a commercial, retail, or professional business/property with a current structure. If you are a tenant, a copy of the lease along with a Letter of Agency must be signed by the owner of the building with approval for exterior improvements to be completed. Applicants of multiple buildings/businesses may receive funding for more than one building/business, though they must complete separate applications for each. Likewise, all applicants must be currently registered and licensed with the Richland County Business Service Center with all County taxes up to date.
Eligible Improvements
The program allows for any combination of eligible improvement elements including, but not limited to:
- Exterior signs
- Exterior painting
- Parking lot resurfacing or repaving
- Outdoor lighting upgrade or installation
- Security features upgrade or installation
- General façade work
Materials and Documents
Contact Information
Project Manager - Matthew Smith
Email - NIP@richlandcountysc.gov
Phone - 803-576-2190
Land Development Code Rewrite
Shape County’s Land Development Code Rewrite
The LDC regulates land use, growth, and development in the County. The code regulates development and covers standards for zoning districts and dwelling units allowed per acre, along with building location, permitted uses, signs, and landscaping, among other qualities.
The County’s current LDC was adopted in 2005. It has seen minor revisions since then, but the current process will mark the first comprehensive update. With a draft of the rewritten LDC now complete, it can be reviewed by residents and stakeholders.
To learn more, visit the County’s website for the zoning ordinance and land development updates: weplantogether.org.
* To view the meeting on the Consolidated Draft please click here.