City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
Planning and Zoning Commission  
Columbia City Hall  
Conference Rm 1A/1B  
701 E Broadway  
Thursday, October 9, 2025  
5:30 PM  
Work Session  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
9 -  
Present:  
Anthony Stanton, Sharon Geuea Jones, Shannon Wilson, Robert Walters,  
McKenzie Ortiz, David Brodsky, Les Gray, Kate Stockton and Cody Darr  
II. INTRODUCTIONS  
Mr. Clint Smith, Community Development Director, and the Planning  
Commissioners introduced themselves to one another.  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Meeting agenda adopted, as amended by moving officer elections to the end of the  
meeting, unanimously.  
Adopt agenda, as amended  
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
September 18, 2025 Work Session  
The September 18, 2025 work session minutes were approved, as amended by  
adding Commissioner Ortiz as “absent”, with Commission Ortiz and Walters  
abstaining.  
Approve minutes as presented  
V. SPECIAL ITEMS  
A. Planning Commission Officer Elections  
Election ballots were distributed and nomination were made for the positions of  
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary. Commissioner Geuea Jones was the sole  
nominee for Chairman and was elected unanimously. Commissioner Stanton was  
the sole nominee for Vice-Chairman and was elected unanimously. Commissioners  
Brodsky and Gray were nominated for Secretary. Following voting, Commissioner  
Brodsky was elected by a vote of 6-3.  
VI. OLD BUSINESS  
A. Small Lots - Article 5 [Subdivisions] & Appendix A Revisions  
Mr. Zenner picked up from where the Commission left off on the topic at its  
September 18 meeting. Prior to discussion the remaining provisions within  
Appendix A there was a discussion about the potential to consider allowing a  
greater level of front yard encroachment (possibly ½ of required setback) with  
porches as a way to reduce the impacts that street frontages being dominated by  
garages doors can have. Mr. Zenner noted this was a possibility, but the request  
would need to be considered in the context of all development with the City not  
just “small lots”.  
A possibility to limit it the modification to just new “greenfield” development  
would be an option, but if the idea is good for the new style of lots why not all lot  
types. It was agreed that the suggestion would be looked into further to see what  
issues may be created if the reduction were applied community wide. The concern  
was not the additional encroachment, but the possible impacts to utility corridors,  
safety, and neighborhood continuity along the street facade.  
Mr. Zenner then went on to address the remaining contents of Appendix A that  
staff identified as possible areas of revisions to accommodate the new “small lots”.  
There was discussion that the street profiles outside of the “residential” category  
would not be addressed as part of any amendments associated with current  
project; however, depending on what the City’s consultant identified as possible  
“complete street” change modification to all the profiles may be considered.  
Mr. Zenner also sought further clarification that the Commission desired to have  
specific standards developed that would address minimum criteria for when alleys  
were integrated into new developments and served as a “small lots” accessible  
street frontage. Commissioners agreed that such standards were appropriate and  
that “service” alleys needed to possibly be allowed to be created with small  
widths. Several Commissioners noted existing developments within the City were  
narrower than 20-foot alleys were more than sufficient to address access needs.  
Mr. Zenner noted that a discussion with the Fire Department and Public Works  
would be needed to ensure that if lesser right of way were allocated it would not  
impact public safety or service delivery.  
It was suggested that possibly the use of “one-way” alleys could be considered as a  
means of reducing width. Mr. Zenner noted that could be considered as part of the  
discussion as well. He also noted that it may be appropriate to create a specific  
section within Appendix A that dealt with “street standards for small lot  
development”. Doing so would reduce possible confusion and clearly define if one  
provided certain types of improvements the reduction would be applicable and if  
not the standard street requirements would apply.  
Mr. Zenner looked through his remaining notes within Appendix A and indicated  
that all matters of possible conflict in creating “small lots” had been discussed. He  
noted that he would now begin the process of preparing the written text changes  
to both the provisions of Article 5 (Subdivisions) and Appendix A that had been  
discussed. Mr. Zenner thanked the Commission for their contributions and the work  
session discussion.  
VII. NEXT MEETING DATE - October 23, 2025 @ 5:30 pm (tentative)  
VIII. ADJOURNMENT  
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.  
Move to adjourn