Commission recommends STR permit for 318 Anderson Ave with occupancy and night limits

The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 23 recommended approval of a short-term rental conditional use permit for 318 Anderson Avenue (Case 312-2025). The motion, passed by unanimous roll-call vote, included conditions spelled out in the motion: a maximum occupancy of 4 transient guests and the motion language referring to a maximum of "2 10" nights of annual rental usage (the motion text as moved and seconded in the hearing record).

Staff presented the application and described outreach (early-notification postcards and a Tribune ad), site context and compliance considerations. The 0.19-acre property is zoned R2 and is not the applicant's primary residence. Staff noted the house is a three-bedroom, one-bath dwelling with a driveway that supports two UDC-compliant on-site parking spaces. The property had previously received one open code violation for operating an STR without a license; Neighborhood Services sent a violation letter Aug. 5 and the applicant submitted an application ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline. Staff reported two pieces of written correspondence: one in support (citing property maintenance and owner availability) and one in opposition raising concerns about housing affordability in Columbia.

Applicant Chelsea Petrie testified that the house was her first home purchase, described her hosting practices and guest screening, said she lives about 2.7 miles from the property and provided guest review excerpts. A nearby resident said they were within 200 feet and preferred owner-occupied or starter-home use but did not describe current disturbances.

Commissioner Stanton moved to approve the conditional use permit with the occupancy and annual-night language in the motion; the motion was seconded and carried by roll call. The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.