Planning commission recommends UER land-use but denies requested MU-1 zoning for Kennerly Road annexation

The Columbia City Planning Commission recommended approval of the requested future land-use classification but denied the requested mixed-use zoning for a 2.39-acre annexation at 730 and 800 Kennerly Road.

Staff presented Annexation 2026-006 and recommended denying the requested MU-1 zoning, arguing that introducing the mixed-use district into a predominantly low-density residential area, combined with the parcel’s irregular shape, could require variances that would undermine protections for adjacent homes. “Therefore, staff recommends denial of this assignment of future land use classification of urban edge residential large lot UER 2 and the requested zoning of Mixed use District MU 1 at the time of annexation,” staff said during the presentation (staff speaker 11).

Applicant Dr. Paul Wade, who identified himself as a local mental-health practitioner and the owner of the two parcels, said he intends to build a small outpatient community mental-health facility and requested annexation to obtain municipal water and sewer. “A mental health facility in this area would be of great use to the community,” Dr. Paul Wade said in his presentation of the proposal.

Residents who live immediately adjacent to the parcels expressed safety and traffic concerns. Sandra Eskew, who said her property backs up to the applicant’s land, told commissioners, “I have concerns for my grandchildren walking up and down the road” and asked that the commission weigh the impact on children and on neighborhood character.

Commission discussion focused on what uses would be permitted under residential classifications and whether a home-occupation or very low-intensity use could achieve the applicant’s goals without MU-1 zoning. Staff noted that some residential districts allow limited home occupations but also impose employee limits, setbacks and lot-size minimums that would restrict higher-traffic uses.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval of the urban-edge residential large-lot (UER2) land-use classification while recommending denial of the MU-1 zoning at the time of annexation, citing decision standards in section 17.2.5.c of the Unified Development Ordinance. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

The planning commission’s action is a recommendation only; final annexation and zoning decisions will be made by Columbia City Council, which will receive the staff and planning commission recommendations when the case goes to council.

What’s next: The commission’s recommendation (approve UER2; deny MU-1) will be forwarded to city council for final action.