Columbia Board of Adjustment Meeting – February 10, 2026

The Board of Adjustment met to consider three variance requests related to property improvements in older neighborhoods. The board unanimously approved variances for shared driveway extensions at 210 and 300 Edgewood Avenue, and approved (4-1) a corner side yard variance to allow an accessory dwelling unit at 24th Avenue. No public comments were received.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda for the meeting was approved unanimously.
• The minutes from the December 9, 2025 meeting were approved without correction.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke for or against any of the applications during the public comment periods.

Discussion Items

• Case 339-2025 – 210 Edgewood Avenue (David Borgelt, owner): David Borgelt requested two variances to permit the extension of a shared driveway along the property line and to allow parking within six feet of the property line, enabling construction of a code-compliant detached garage. The property has a 50-foot-wide lot, a shared driveway that has existed for over a century, and topographical constraints. Staff noted that the 2017 Unified Development Code (UDC) created the need for these variances and that the lot’s narrow width and terrain create a practical hardship not of the owner’s making. Staff supported both variances, noting the improvements would not harm the neighborhood and would facilitate housing activation.
• Case 62-2026 – 300 Edgewood Avenue (Tate Cooper, owner, represented by Mick Wilson): This concurrent request sought the same two variances for the adjacent property to the south, to allow the shared driveway to remain compliant and to permit future parking. Attorney Mick Wilson stated the owner supports Mr. Borgelt’s project and has no immediate plans to build but wants the ability to do so later without returning to the board. Staff’s comments mirrored those in Case 339-2025, emphasizing that the lot is a legal substandard lot and that the variance is preemptive. The board considered testimony from the prior case as linked.
• Case 63-2026 – 24th Avenue (Central Missouri Community Action, owner, represented by Caleb Colbert and Jay Gebhardt): The applicant sought a 16-foot variance from the required 25-foot corner side yard setback to build a 510-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a 36.5-foot-wide corner lot. The lot was created from a 73-foot-wide lot and is zoned R2, where ADUs are a permitted use. Staff explained that the 2017 UDC’s 25-foot corner side yard makes the lot effectively unbuildable for an ADU; pre-2017 the setback was 12.5 feet. Staff recommended approval but noted that a narrower building could achieve a 12.5-foot setback as an alternative. The board debated whether the hardship was self-created, but staff argued the lot’s unique size and shape, combined with the code change, constitute a practical difficulty. The driveway access onto Garth Avenue had already been approved by the city traffic engineer and community development director.

Key Outcomes

• Case 339-2025 (210 Edgewood): Both variances were approved unanimously (5-0). The first variance allows the existing shared driveway to be considered regulatorily compliant and permits future extension within five feet of the property line. The second variance permits parking within six feet of the southern property line.
• Case 62-2026 (300 Edgewood): Both variances were approved unanimously (5-0) with identical language to Case 339-2025 but specific to 300 Edgewood.
• Case 63-2026 (24th Avenue): The variance was approved 4-1 (Ms. Hammond voted no). The motion included three conditions: (1) a minimum nine-foot corner side yard setback shall apply to new construction from the Garth Avenue frontage; (2) any voluntary demolition of the existing principal dwelling must adhere to the same nine-foot setback; and (3) the proposed ADU shall be built in substantial compliance with the submitted exhibit.
• The next regular meeting in March is cancelled; the board will be notified of any applications for the April meeting.
• Board member terms were reviewed: Ms. Hammond’s term expires in May 2026; Ms. Gaines and Ms. Bryant were welcomed as new members.