Council gives first reading to Canary Woods annexation after residents raise concerns about unmarked cemetery

Columbia City Council on first reading approved annexation and a zoning map amendment for a 79-acre parcel on Southwestern Holloway Road proposed for expansion of the Canary Woods development, but the council asked the developer and landowners to secure a buffer and a cemetery-preservation plan before the second reading.

At a public hearing, Mary Lynn Bair, who identified herself as a granddaughter of a former owner, said "There is a cemetery on this property that nobody knows about" and presented photographs she said show headstones and sunken graves that are not fenced or formally established. She told council the parcel includes a 2.47-acre pond and said family members were surprised when portions of the property were sold.

Neighbor Gerald Waller said houses could be built about 40 feet from his home and asked the developer to provide a buffer or tree preserve along the shared border. "It'd be generous of him if he could give us a buffer or on the south and the east side of this property," Waller said, noting a prior phase of Canary Woods included a tree preserve.

Hank Mabry, representing the owner and developer, told council the surveyor had identified "some graves, maybe marked or unmarked" and said the development team "will be protected. We don't plan on putting any homes on top of them." He said the planned development would be high-density single-family residential similar to adjacent phases, and that detailed plans will be submitted to planning staff.

Council members emphasized they wanted the cemetery and buffer issues resolved before final action. A motion carried to give the annexation first reading while requiring the developer and landowners to work with staff and neighbors to establish a preservation plan and buffer prior to second reading; staff noted that rezoning conditions cannot be legally imposed but the items can be expected to be met before the council moves forward with final approval.

The council recorded the first-reading motion and approved it on a roll-call vote. The item will return for a second reading after the buffer and cemetery-preservation details are provided to the council and planning staff.