Commission recommends approval of 352‑acre Crane Creek annexation with mixed‑use and conservation zoning

The Planning Commission recommended approval of Annexation 2026‑00004, a request to annex about 352 acres adjacent to Blue Ridge Terrace, Monaceel/Monaceela Road, Clover Road and Wan Road in the Crane Creek area into the City of Columbia.

Staff described the site’s context — abutting the city boundary within the Long Range urban service area — and recommended a suite of future land‑use and zoning classifications at annexation to align the properties with the city’s Walkable 29203 pedestrian master plan and the Crane Creek master plan. Proposed future land‑use classifications included Urban Edge Community Activity Center (UEAC1), Neighborhood Activity Center (AC1), Urban Edge Residential small and large lot types (UR1, UER2) and corresponding zoning recommendations such as RM2 (residential mix), Transitional Conservation (TC), Large Lot Reserve (LLR), MU1 (mixed‑use) and General Commercial (CGC). Staff noted some portions lie in the floodplain and that zoning will reflect conservation constraints where applicable.

The applicant (Kevin Steelman of Lantech Communities) said he was available to answer questions and thanked the commission for its time. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about zoning transitions and how the plan alignments were derived from adopted policy documents. One commissioner moved to recommend approval of the assigned future land use and zoning at annexation; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

What happens next: With a planning commission recommendation in place, the annexation request will proceed to public hearings at City Council for final action and any conditions associated with floodplain or conservation areas will be reviewed during permitting.