The Columbia Planning Commission on Nov. 13 recommended approval of a rezoning that removes an airport-safety overlay for property in the 1700 block of Rosewood Drive, a change that would allow residential development on the site.

Staff framed the request as ZMA 20250018 and said removing the overlay would lift a 35-foot height cap tied to airport safety and permit the district’s normal height allowances — in this case a 50-foot limit reduced to 45 feet because of adjacent residential zoning. “This amendment has the effect of allowing residential uses,” staff told the commission during the presentation.

Applicant Ashu Kumar, representing the owner, said the owner plans to build a three-story apartment building (three units per floor, about nine units) and is coordinating civil and architectural work. “He wants to build some apartments in this property,” Kumar said.

Peter Savalas, airport general manager for Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport, urged developers to coordinate with the airport and aeronautics authorities. Savalas said the site sits roughly 4,900 feet — about 0.81 miles — from the north end of the runway and that developers have used avigation easements in previous projects to indemnify the airport for overflight. “What it does … is identify the airport exists and that the air traffic could potentially come over the development and that we are hold harmless,” he said.

Commissioners pressed staff and the airport manager on whether removing the overlay would remove state or federal reviews; staff said it would not — the state and FAA reviews and any required easements remain separate processes. Commissioners also noted that projects developed inside past airport-related zones had used formal avigation easements.

A motion to recommend approval of ZMA 20250018 was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council, which retains final authority and will review any aeronautics or FAA feedback as part of subsequent permitting and approvals.