The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 4 approved three short‑term rental (STR) conditional use permits (CUPs) and directed staff to continue enforcement of unlicensed operations found in a city sweep.

The commission approved STR requests for 11 South Heather Lane (owner: Amber and Matthew Bridal), 1501 Paris Road (Black Dog Enterprises LLC) and 103 Parkview Drive (Matthew and Michaela Hayes). Each approval included occupancy and parking conditions and a limit of 210 rental nights annually.

For 11 South Heather Lane the commission approved a CUP allowing up to eight transient guests and up to 210 nights of use. Owner Michaela (Amber) Bridal told the commission the property was acquired to provide family lodging for visits and that she had contacted the city when purchasing; she said, “We called the city at that time ... we were told, no. Absolutely not,” describing her understanding at purchase. Staff said the property had been identified in a compliance sweep and that the active illegal‑use case would be closed after the applicant completed licensing requirements. The commission’s motion (moved by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Gray) passed on roll call; the recommendation will be forwarded to City Council.

At 1501 Paris Road the commission approved a CUP for a two‑bedroom residence to be used as an STR for a maximum of four transient guests and up to 210 nights annually, subject to the addition of two UDC‑compliant on‑site parking spaces on a rear‑yard pad before issuance of a certificate of compliance. Staff explained the property had nonconforming gravel parking installed by a prior owner and that recent code changes removed the off‑site‑parking option; the approval requires the property owner to bring parking into conformance before the license is issued.

At 103 Parkview Drive the commission approved a CUP for the main level of a three‑bedroom house to be used as an STR for a maximum of four transient guests and up to 210 nights annually, with one car garage space required to be available while the dwelling is in STR use. Neighbors testified both in support and in opposition. Christina Roberts, who lives nearby, told the commission the neighborhood had been primarily single‑family for decades and urged denial; owner Matthew Hayes said the property had been used only about 10 nights in 2024 and that the owners did not intend to approach the 210‑night cap.

City staff said STR enforcement has been stepped up: Housing and Neighborhood Services identified potential STRs in a sweep and sent two notices (June and August) to properties that had not registered. Properties operating without appropriate registration become active compliance cases that staff pursues; the hearing record included staff statements that a municipal vendor will be used for ongoing monitoring once procured. Commissioners noted the approval conditions provide a channel for neighbors to lodge complaints and for staff to take enforcement action if bona fide, documented violations occur.

All three CUP approvals included explicit conditions about maximum occupancy, annual nights and provision of required on‑site parking prior to issuance of an STR certificate of compliance. The commission’s STR recommendations will be forwarded to City Council for final action.

Speakers on these cases included Amber Bridal (owner, 11 South Heather), Taylor Adams (co‑owner, 1501 Paris Road), Allison (Ally) Freeman (on‑site manager), Matthew Hayes (owner, 103 Parkview) and neighborhood residents who expressed both support and concerns about property maintenance and neighborhood character.