Columbus now has the start of a new planning board after appointing three new members for a five-member board.

Columbus Town Council met last Thursday and appointed new members Dorene Byars, Mark Phillips and Bonnie Tillman to the town&39;s planning board. The town received six applications but chose to appoint only three of the applicants to the board. Council members said the new planning&bsp; board can begin with the three members as three are all that is needed for a quorom. The town is still seeking members.

Columbus recently split its planning and zoning board and appointed the previous board members to its zoning board of adjustments. The town and former planning board disagreed at times on issues, especially concerning density.

Council also last Thursday approved new planning board rules and procedures, including making a stipulation that any planning board members who submit a letter to the editor on a planning board issue to local newspapers include a disclaimer saying the letter is their personal opinion only. Without a disclaimer, the letter will have to be approved by the town manager, according to the new rules.

The new planning board will hold its first meeting the week prior to town council&squo;s April 16 meeting.

The town recently approved several new ordinances and one of the first issues the new planning board will deal with is approving a master plan for the proposed development, Fosters Creek Preserve, which could be turned into the town soon.