Annexation request faces opposition from residents

Some Boone County residents are upset over another possible annexation.

On Monday night, the City Council will consider a petition for voluntary annexation of a property on the southeast corner of State Route KK and River Hills Road.

The land is about 10 acres owned by Lewis Davidson. It is currently zoned A-1, or agricultural, by Boone County. If the annexation is approved, Columbia would rezone the property R-1, or residential, which would allow for a neighborhood of single-family homes.

Davidson did not appear at the Feb. 10 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting or the Feb. 21 City Council meeting. He could not be reached for comment.

Residents made note of Davidson’s absences at the public hearing. They said Davidson is moving and will not be effected by any development.

Sharon Savage, a resident who lives near Davidson’s property, is opposed to the rezoning and annexation. She moved to Boone County three years ago looking for a rural lifestyle. Savage said she understands Columbia is a growing city, but views the city’s expansion as erratic.

“This kind of hopscotch of skipping over a few miles and building another ring of suburban development — I just don’t think that’s a way to plan a city,” she said.

Another concern of area residents was the location of the proposed development.

“This is so badly situated,” Savage said. “It will either be on a dirt road or on highway KK where they will not be able to see to the right because there is a huge hill in the way.”

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended denial of this petition. It cited concerns with the road conditions and Davidson’s absence.

The residents showed their opposition by filing a protest petition against rezoning the land on March 2. City clerk Sheela Amin said this petition wouldn’t stop the annexation or zoning. It would require the City Council to pass the zoning amendment by a two-thirds vote instead of a majority. To be considered valid, the petition had to be signed by 30 percent of the residents living within 185 feet of the proposed property. Approximately 78 percent, 10 residents, signed the petition.

The annexation will be the first issue discussed at Monday’s meeting, where the council will also hear comments from the public and vote. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at 701 E. Broadway.