The Columbia Planning Commission on Nov. 13 approved a major site plan for a seven‑story, 237‑unit multifamily building at 875 Catawba Street, with public‑right‑of‑way improvements including a 13‑foot cycle track and an eight‑foot sidewalk along Lincoln Street.

Tommy Sennett, representing the Cardinal Group developer, and civil engineer Mark D’Souza said the currently vacant site will be combined across parcels and includes an underground stormwater detention system, on‑street parking contributions and 80 bicycle parking spaces to comply with the Unified Development Ordinance. “The plan is to combine the two parcels to 2.1 acres…we’re providing a 13‑foot bike lane and then adjacent to that an 8‑foot walking sidewalk,” D’Souza said.

Reagan Freeman of Palmetto Walk Bike praised the project as the city’s first cycle track and recommended protective bollards at driveway crossings “so no one thinks it’s an extra lane.” The commission’s approving motion explicitly made the bollard suggestion part of the approval condition.

Staff said utilities have capacity and that underground detention will pump to the existing drainage basin toward the CSX rail corridor with coordination between the developer and CSX’s engineering team.

A motion to approve the site plan subject to staff comments and the bollard recommendation passed by voice vote.

The developer will finalize construction plans and required encroachment or right‑of‑way permits; staff comments must be addressed before issuance of permits.