Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 23, 2026
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 23, 2026
This regular meeting of the City of Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The primary action was a tabling request for a proposed 34-unit multifamily development. Staff also provided a detailed preview of upcoming agenda items and ongoing work on data center standards and small-lot integration.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Agenda: Moved by Commissioner Stanton, seconded by Commissioner Gray, unanimously approved.
- Approval of Minutes (April 9, 2026): Moved by Commissioner Stanton, seconded by Commissioner Darr. Approved with abstentions from Commissioners Stockton and Geuea Jones (5 votes for, 2 abstentions).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jay Gebhardt (civil engineer, A Civil Group) addressed concerns about stormwater regulations (Chapter 12-A) and their impact on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). He stated that Critical Downstream Location requirements, which mandate 50% more detention for new development, pose a significant impediment to ADU construction in central Columbia, particularly north of Broadway. He proposed a carve-out allowing ADUs to bypass these requirements, or alternatively, a fee-in-lieu program where developers could contribute funds to the city to fix underlying flooding issues. He acknowledged that his idea is not a perfect solution, as it could worsen flooding in the interim until the city addresses the infrastructure problems.
Discussion Items
- Tabling Request – Case #91-2026 (Bay Hills PD): A request by Crockett Engineering Consultants, LLC on behalf of PD and CJ Properties to rezone and approve a site-specific Statement of Intent for 34 multi-family units at 3 and 21 Grace Lane. The applicant requested a second tabling to the May 21, 2026 meeting to allow for revised plans addressing technical comments and to continue discussions on a development agreement regarding impact triggers and contribution requirements. Staff supported the request. The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. The commission voted unanimously (7-0, with Commissioner Ortiz excused) to table the matter to May 21, 2026.
- Staff Comments (Patrick Zenner, Planning Director): Mr. Zenner provided a comprehensive update:
- Upcoming Meetings: The next meeting on May 7, 2026, will include a work session on data center use-specific standards and conditional-use criteria. Staff are preparing materials, and a 12-month administrative delay for data center applications will be proposed to City Council starting May 4.
- Staffing and Workload: Staffing shortages continue; a senior planner candidate is being onboarded, but two planner positions remain unfilled. The volume of concept reviews remains high, but economic conditions are slowing follow-through. Small-lot integration (ADUs) work is expected to be completed before the end of the fiscal year (September 2026).
- Preview of May 7 Agenda: Five items are scheduled: (1) Case #121 – preliminary plat at eastern terminus of Scarbrough Drive; (2) ADU text amendment; (3) Major plan revision for Copperstone Corner (Scott Blvd & Vawter School Rd) – proposing an assisted senior living center instead of commercial; (4) New PD rezoning and preliminary plat for a student housing project near 2909 Rock Quarry Road (north of Gray Oak and Grindstone Plaza Drive); (5) Short-term rental at 713 Hilltop Drive (R-1 zone, East Campus).
- Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Brodsky asked legal counsel whether the minutes approval (with two abstentions) violated quorum. Counsel confirmed it did not, as quorum was maintained.
Key Outcomes
- Case #91-2026 (Bay Hills PD) tabled to May 21, 2026 by a unanimous vote of 7-0 (Commissioner Ortiz excused). This is the applicant's second request and will require re-advertising and public notification.
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM (tentative), with a work session beginning at 7:00 PM.
- The meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I will now call the Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission to order. Commissioner Brodsky, may we please have a roll call? We may. Commissioner Stanton. Present. Commissioner Stockton. Here. Commissioner Walters. Here. Wilson is absent. I am present. Commissioner Darr? Here. Commissioner Goway Jones. Here. Commissioner Gray? Here. Commissioner Ortiz is absence. We have a quorum of seven. Thank you. We are there any changes or adjustments to the agenda this evening, Mr. Zinner. No, there are not, ma'am. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? I moved to approve the agenda. Second. Moved by Commissioner Stanton, seconded by Commissioner Gray. Thumbs up approval in the agenda. Unanimous. We all received a copy of the minutes from the April 9th, 2026 regular meeting. Are there any changes or adjustments to the minutes? Seeing none. I moved to approve the minutes of April 9, 2026. Second. Oh. Moved by Commissioner Stanton, seconded by Commissioner Darr. Thumbs up approval of the minutes unanimous with abstentions from Commissioners Stockton and Gowway Jones. The only item on our agenda for this evening is a tabling request, case number 91-2026, a request by Crockett Engineering Consultants, LLC agent on behalf of PD and CJ property seeking approval to rezone the subject property from Plan Development PD to PD and approval of a site-specific statement of intent, allowing development of 34 multifamily units to be known as Bay Hills PD. The approximately 3.5 acre subject site is located at the property addressed 3 and 21 Grace Lane, a request to table this matter to the May 21st 2026 planning and zoning commission meeting has been received. This is the applicant's second request to require readvertising and public notification. May we please have a stop report. Yes, as described, the uh request is to uh extend the tabling uh from this evening's meeting to the May 21st meeting in order to allow the applicant to resubmit a revised set of plans addressing technical comments and to uh engage in discussion as it relates to an associated development agreement establishing triggers and contribution requirements uh associated with the impacts of the development may create. Staff is supportive of the request uh and will allow us the opportunity to continue to work forward uh with the applicant. Thank you. Are there any questions for staff on the tabling request? Seeing none, would anyone uh was this was advertised, correct? Yes, it was advertised to date certain for today. If anyone is here to speak on the tabling request, please come forward now. Seeing none, we will close public comment and go to Commissioner Command.
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