The Columbia City Council held a public hearing Sept. 15 on a voluntary annexation request for a 0.89-acre lot at the northwest corner of Clark Lane and Lakewood Drive, with the applicant seeking MC (Corridor Commercial) zoning after annexation.

City Development Services Manager Matt Zenner told the council the parcel “is just under an acre” and that the applicant sought MC zoning because it would allow “higher intensity auto centric uses, such as drive up facilities and gas stations, as a by right,” while Planning & Zoning and staff urged a more deliberate review process.

“The MC Zoning District allows for higher intensity auto centric uses, such as drive up facilities and gas stations, as a by right,” Matt Zenner said during his staff presentation. Planning and staff flagged that MC could permit uses by right that would otherwise require conditional use review under the city’s MN (Mixed-Use Neighborhood) district.

Zenner told council members the parcel is platted and has existing review steps under Boone County zoning; a prior county commercial planned (CGP) board order remains on file but was never effectuated because a final development plan was not submitted. He said water service would be city-provided and sewer access already exists via a 1992 connection agreement, which in some cases reduced monthly sewer fees for affected parcels.

Planning & Zoning denied the requested MC zoning at its July 24 hearing, citing concerns that MC could “set a precedent” for more commercial intensity pushing westward toward existing residential areas. Zenner said staff and the commission both recommended considering MN zoning with a conditional use permit so neighbors and the public have an opportunity for review of higher-intensity uses.

Councilmember Valerie Jarrett said the surrounding neighborhood contains “quite a bit of housing” and added, “I would be very hesitant to give up oversight that we can have for this given the proximity to, quite a bit of housing.” Councilmember Nick Foster asked staff for clarification about previous county approvals; Zenner explained the county’s planned development process includes additional steps and review that are comparable to the city’s conditional-use process.

The public hearing was held as required; no land-use vote was taken Sept. 15. Bill 243-25 was introduced for first reading and the annexation and permanent zoning for this parcel are scheduled to return to council under old business on Oct. 6 for final action.