Columbia holds public hearing on annexation of 3501 New Haven Road mobile home park; council will act July 21

The Columbia City Council held a required public hearing on July 7 on a proposed voluntary annexation of property at the northwest corner of New Haven Road and Warren Drive (3501 New Haven Road), a mobile home park the staff described as roughly 36–37 acres and containing 208 lots. Staff described the annexation as necessary to allow the entire park to connect to city sewer and to eliminate noncompliant on‑site wastewater treatment facilities.

“Approximately half of the site… are served by city sewer that was authorized in a bulk sewer agreement prior to our 1997 annexation requirements,” Deputy City Manager and acting Community Development Director Matt Unrun told council. The other half is served by on‑site treatment systems that staff described as noncompliant with DNR requirements. Pat Zinner, Development Services Manager, said the annexation would place the site under city zoning (RMH, manufactured residential community) and subdivision regulations, require the removal of the noncompliant treatment facilities, and require private sewer mains and pump stations to connect to an existing sewer in the southwest corner of the site.

Staff said the park plan will serve as a preliminary plat and that final platting and construction permits will be required before further development. Sidewalk construction along New Haven and South Warren is expected to be included in a performance contract that accompanies final platting. Utilities serving the site are Boone Electric (electric) and Water Supply District No. 9 (water); portions of the adjacent road network are under MoDOT jurisdiction.

Speakers at the public hearing included engineer Christina Loubert (Loubert Engineering), who described plans to add pump stations and force mains to bring sewer into the city system; Woodstock Mobile Home LLC representatives, who said they had set aside $1,500,000 for capital improvements and had investor backing if additional funds are needed; and multiple residents who raised concerns about tenant notification, road conditions and the potential fiscal impacts on residents.

Council members asked about the city’s notification procedures; staff said the property had been posted and that property owners within 185 feet were mailed notices and that the matter had been advertised as required by state law. Several councilmembers noted the size of the tenant population and asked staff to consider broader tenant notification practices; staff said the annexation ordinance (Bill 150‑25) will return for council action on July 21 under old business. No vote was taken July 7.

Ending: The public hearing was closed with no vote; staff will bring Bill 150‑25 (annexation and permanent RMH zoning) to the July 21 council meeting and work with the applicant on final plat and infrastructure timing and performance agreements.