Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow 11 Club Court to operate as a short-term rental for up to six guests and 210 nights a year, despite neighbors' testimony about private-street damage, oversized vehicles and enforcement limits.
The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 21 approved a conditional use permit for 11 Club Court (case 262-2025), allowing the property to operate as a short-term rental for a maximum of six transient guests and up to 210 nights annually. The motion carried after an 5–1–1 recorded vote with one abstention.
Staff told the commission the 0.22-acre property in an R-1 zone meets the Unified Development Code criteria for a short-term rental and has three parking spaces adequate for the requested occupancy, and recommended approval. The permit was approved subject to the occupancy and annual-night limits.
Neighbors who live on Club Court, a private street, told commissioners they are responsible for street maintenance, that the street is narrow and in poor condition, and that a recent pattern of large or unfamiliar vehicles connected to short-term tenants has changed the neighborhood’s character. “The unpredictable stream of strange vehicles and short term tenants going in and out of 11 Club Court this past year, randomly showing up at any time of day, any day of the week has fundamentally changed our neighborhood,” resident Warren Prost said.
The applicant, owner Steve Fleisher (VSP LLC), said he screens guests, has adjusted listing language to ask about oversized vehicles and has tried to work with neighbors. “If someone has a lot of past reviews, they're all positive... If someone has no reviews, they just joined Airbnb, I'm probably denying that stay,” Fleisher said, also noting he owns two houses on the street and has an incentive to protect the roadway.
Commission discussion focused on two practical points: enforcement limits on private streets and what constitutes a verifiable code violation. City staff said certain complaints—noise, over-occupancy and other items that can be documented—are verifiable and can lead to enforcement action, while parking or heavy-vehicle concerns on a private street may be harder to enforce unless they meet code definitions for heavy vehicles or the operator fails to use required off-street parking. Staff noted the short-term rental code provides oversight and that revocation is possible if the operator accrues verified violations.
Several commissioners urged neighbor-to-neighbor communication, signage and operational changes (for example, clearer listing photos and check-in guidance) as ways to reduce conflicts. Commissioner Stockton abstained from the vote because of a personal connection; Commissioner Darr voted no.
The commission recorded the motion as approved, and the recommendation will be forwarded to city council as required by procedure.
