Summary

Council approves multiple airport projects, adopts data center definition with six‑month administrative delay, approves Block by Block MOU, and directs rental law changes

ColumbiaApr 6, 20264 min read

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At the April 6, 2026 City Council meeting the Council enacted several Columbia Regional Airport construction bills, approved a data center definition (B62-26) and asked staff to return with a six-month administrative delay on data center permit processing while use standards are developed, authorized a Block by Block ambassador MOU with a FY2026 appropriation, amended and adopted a special event agreement for the Earth Day festival, approved the consent agenda, and directed staff to draft changes to the Rental Conservation Law in Chapter 22.

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Columbia TIF Broadway Hotel Phase Two Redevelopment Planned Development PD Planned Development Columbia Sanitary Landfill Horizontal Expansion

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City Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyHealthcareCommerceEnvironmentalHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Enacted multiple airport-related construction bills (B66-26 through B71-26) authorizing bidding and construction for north parking lot improvements, a passenger boarding bridge, a deicing pad and containment (glycol recovery) system, a Terminal Building loop road, a production kitchen, and reconstruction of Airport Drive.
Enacted B62-26 to add a defined 'data center' use to Chapter 29 and unanimously approved a motion directing staff to return with an ordinance imposing a six-month administrative delay on processing conditional use and building permit applications for data centers while specific use standards are developed.
Approved B77-26 authorizing a memorandum of understanding with The Curators of the University of Missouri (University of Missouri Columbia) and the Downtown Community Improvement District for the Block by Block Ambassador program and amended the FY2026 budget to appropriate $168,130.01.
Approved B78-26, the First Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement related to the Broadway Hotel Phase Two Redevelopment Plan and authorized issuance of tax increment revenue notes as described.
Adopted R64-26 as amended to authorize a special event operations agreement with Mid-Missouri Peaceworks for the 2026 Columbia Area Earth Day Festival, including temporary street and parking lane closures.
Approved the consent agenda, which included zoning and development items (e.g., Lake Broadway PD plan), infrastructure projects, public health and grant agreements, short-term rental conditional use permits, a solar interconnection/net metering agreement, and the reappointment of an associate municipal judge.
Directed staff to proceed with drafting ordinance changes to the Rental Conservation Law (Chapter 22) following community feedback on rental inspection frequency (REP19-26).
Consented to appointments to the Business Loop Community Improvement District board for terms beginning April 20, 2026 (REP18-26).

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