Bannum, Inc. v. City of Columbia

Bannum, Inc. (Bannum) appeals a circuit court order affirming the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s (ZBA) denial of a “special exception” permit to use 1608 Westminster Drive as a residential care facility for federal ex-offenders. We reverse:

FACTS

Bannum provides residential “halfway houses” for persons recently released from federal prison. In February, 1997, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) issued a request for proposals (RFP) to construct and manage a” 24 bed residential care facility in Columbia. 1 Bannum inquired of the City Zoning Administrator as to zoning requirements for such residential care…