Columbia planning panel approves four short‑term rentals, rejects one after neighborhood opposition

The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 9 approved four short‑term rental conditional‑use permits and rejected one after residents raised concerns about parking, late‑night noise and public safety.

The commission’s action matters because the city’s STR program uses conditional‑use review to weigh neighborhood impacts against property owners’ requests to rent homes for short stays. The commission’s votes will be forwarded to City Council with recommendations for final action.

Most of the approvals followed staff recommendations that the properties meet Unified Development Code requirements and that owners meet specific parking and occupancy conditions. The denied application drew the largest public turnout and the strongest objections from neighbors.

502 Southwest Boulevard (case 29552025) Staff recommended approval for a conditional‑use permit to operate 502 Southwest Boulevard as an STR with a maximum occupancy of six transient guests, up to 210 nights per year, and a condition that one garage parking space be available while the unit is used as an STR. The application packet noted two letters sent to the owner about unlicensed STR operation earlier in the year; the owners applied for the CUP after the second notice. Motion: Commissioner Wilson moved to approve the CUP as recommended; Commissioner Gray seconded. Roll call: unanimous approval (Goway/Galloway Jones, Gray, Ortiz, Stanton, Stockton, Walters, Wilson, Brodsky, Darr voted yes). The commission’s positive recommendation will be forwarded to City Council.

1306 Saint Michael Drive (case 296‑2025) Applicant Kevin Dickerber sought authorization for 1306 Saint Michael Drive for up to eight guests and up to 210 nights annually, contingent on adding two off‑street parking pads to reach the on‑site parking needed for that occupancy. Staff described a history of city code contacts at…