The Planning and Zoning Commission met on September 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Columbia City Hall. The meeting included approval of minutes, four public hearings, and staff/commissioner comments. The primary item was a request for a site-specific Planned Development (PD) plan for Ashford Place, which generated extensive public testimony and was approved on a 7-1 vote. Three short-term rental (STR) conditional use permits were also approved unanimously.
Proposal: Approval of a site-specific PD plan for 77 single-family attached dwelling units on 24.13 acres north of Sagemoor Drive, zoned PD. This was tabled from July and August meetings.
Staff Recommendation: Approval, subject to a development agreement and technical corrections.
Public Testimony: Approximately 20 speakers opposed the development, citing:
Commissioner Discussion:
Vote: Motion to approve carried 7-1 (Commissioner Wilson voting no).
Proposal: Conditional use permit for up to 8 transient guests, 210 nights/year. Home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, attached 2-car garage. Owner Amber Weigel appeared; she lives in San Diego and purchased for family visits. She stated they were unaware of new STR regulations until contacted in June 2025. No neighbor complaints; one issue with party on Vrbo resolved by delisting. Staff recommended approval with conditions.
Public Testimony: Only the applicant spoke. She expressed willingness to comply. Commissioner Stanton noted the high profile of STR regulation in Columbia; applicant explained she relied on prior city guidance.
Vote: Approved unanimously (8-0) with conditions: max 8 guests, 210 nights, garage spaces available.
Proposal: Conditional use permit for up to 4 transient guests, 210 nights/year. 2-bedroom, 1-bath; currently no on-site parking. Staff required installation of 2 parking spaces on a rear pad before compliance. Owner is Black Dog Enterprise, LLC (Taylor Adams and Colin Freeman). They have operated illegally and are seeking compliance. Five letters of support from neighbors.
Public Testimony: Taylor Adams spoke; he has put $30,000 into renovations and plans to add parking. He expressed commitment to compliance. Commissioner Gray asked about parking; Adams confirmed he will install.
Vote: Approved unanimously (8-0) with conditions: max 4 guests, 210 nights, 2 parking spaces added.
Proposal: Conditional use permit for up to 4 transient guests, 210 nights/year. 3-bedroom, 1-bath main level; has 1-car garage. Owner Matt Hayes appeared; he stated they used it only 10 nights last year and intend to maintain standards. One neighbor opposed due to concerns about revolving tenants and property maintenance, but acknowledged new owners have improved maintenance.
Public Testimony: Neighbor Christina Roberts questioned the discrepancy in occupancy (letter said 4, staff said 8 initially; corrected to 4). She expressed opposition to short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods. Another neighbor, Terri Hall, described past issues with an STR and crime in the area.
Commissioner Discussion: Commissioner Walters noted the registration process allows for complaints and removal if violations occur.
Vote: Approved unanimously (8-0) with conditions: max 4 guests, 210 nights, garage available.
Good evening. I will now call the Thursday, September 4th, 2025 regular session of the Planning and Zoning Commission to order. May we please have a roll call, Commissioner Stanton? Yes, Madam Chair. Mr. Borowski is absent. Commissioner Darr. Here. Here. Gray? Here. Matisse. Here. I'm here. Stockton. Ms. Here. Walters? Here. Yes. Here. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight present. We have a quorum, Madam Chair. Thank you very much. Are there any changes or adjustments to our agenda this evening, Mr. Zinner? No, they're not, ma'am. Is there a motion to approve? I so move. Second. Moved by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Gray. Is there a thumbs-up approval on the agenda? Unanimous. Thank you. We all received a copy of the minutes of our August 7th and our August 21st regular meetings with corrections to the August 7th regular meeting. Are there any further adjustments or corrections to the minutes? Seeing none is there a motion to approve. Move to approve. Second. Moved by Commissioner Gray, seconded by Commissioner Wilson. We got all rearranged up here. I don't it's going to be okay. Is there thumbs up approval in the minutes? Unanimous with abstention from Commissioner Goway Jones for her absence last week or last meeting. I would I was absent on August 7th, so I would like to abstain from those minutes. Thank you, Commissioner Ortiz. Commissioner Ortiz abstains from approval of the August 7th minutes. Very good. Going through public hearings, our first case for the evening, case number 231-2025, a request by Crockett Engineering Agent on behalf of Troy Miller properties LLC owner for approval of a site-specific PD plan and new statement of intent to be known as Ashford Place. The 24.13 acre subject site is located directly north of the terminus of Sagemore Drive and is currently zoned PD plan district.