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Planning Commission denies rezoning for Senate Street event property after neighborhood concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission voted 4-2 to deny a rezoning request for two Senate Street parcels sought by an events-space applicant, citing neighborhood concerns about events, parking and enforcement.
The City of Columbia Planning Commission denied a rezoning request for 2107 and 2115 Senate Street (TMS 11406-09-20 and 11406-09-17) after commissioners raised concerns about event uses and potential nuisances in an otherwise residential area.
Applicant Shani Lee sought to rezone two parcels from Residential Mixed District (RM-1) to Mixed Use District (MU-1) to allow additional variety of uses on properties she represents, including access related to an adjacent event space. Lee told the commission she had discussed neighborhood concerns with city departments and nearby property owners and presented letters of support from local stakeholders.
During public comment, a supporter, Joseph Bailey, described community-focused programming planned at the site and said organizers would address traffic, security and trash. Commissioners, however, noted past complaints tied to nearby event activity and said allowing MU-1 would expand the potential for large events inside a residential neighborhood.
Commissioner Cook moved to deny the rezoning application; a second was recorded. The motion to deny carried on a 4-2 roll-call vote: Causey — yes; Cook — yes; Holcomb — no; Osorio — no; Coveney — yes; Cohn — yes. Staff had recommended approval, citing consistency with future land-use classification, but the commission concluded the rezoning posed neighborhood compatibility concerns that outweighed the staff recommendation.
Planning staff noted that approving the rezoning could leave a small unrezoned “donut hole” of RM-1 zoning on an adjacent strip of property unless the owner of that portion applied for rezoning as well. The applicant said she had permission from the affected owners to pursue the rezoning and that she had spoken with a nearby pastor and property owners in support.
The commission’s denial means the properties remain RM-1; the applicant may pursue other options, including pursuing amendments or pursuing approvals to use the site under existing rules, or apply again at a later date.
The formal vote and case identifiers are included in the actions array below.
