After over a month of waiting, the residents and business owners of the Earlewood neighborhood finally have a resolution to the zoning dispute with a title loan business at the corner of River Drive and Broad River Road.

The title loan store appeared for a second time before the City of Columbia Board of Zoning April 10 to request permission to give payday loans in addition to title loans. Representatives for the neighborhood were also in attendance, including the president of the Earlewood Community Citizen's Organization, Ford Mason.

The residents protested the business' application on the grounds of aesthetics and potential harm to the community. The building is painted a bright yellow and red which clashes with the vision the residents have for their neighborhood.

In the course of the application process, it was discovered the title loan business was violating the zoning law. According to Zoning Administrator Marc Mylott, an investigation was conducted to determine if the title loan business was honoring the application process. "We found that this service (pay day loans) was being provided prior to approval by the board, and the applicant was served with a Notice of Violation wherein he was ordered to cease and desist within two days," Mylott said. Mylott's office will conduct a follow-up investigation to ensure the business has complied.

Ultimately, the application was denied due to a combination of factors. City of Columbia Board of Zoning member Chris Barczak said the application "was denied based upon adverse neighborhood impact and aesthetics."

Local business owner Sabrina Patterson attributes this success to community involvement. "People need to know they can fight for their community," she said. "Things can be done. Things can change."