In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☀️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 34 & low of 8

🍔 Columbia Planning Commission Approves Whataburger on James Campbell Blvd

📰 Columbia Moves Forward with Short-Term Rental Rule Changes

📌 2/22: Kiwanis Annual Yard Sale

👉 Maury County Public Schools Closed on Thursday

👉 Snow Day Camp at Discovery Gym Available Thursday For Kids Ages 4-11

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, February 20th

• Connect Spring Hill at Viking Pizza - 9:00 - 10:00 AM 

• Columbia Young Life Club (605 Sunnyside Ln) - 7:37 PM

Friday, February 21st

• Columbia Farmers Market - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Hidden Gem Farmers Market - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Mysterious Table For Valentine’s Day - Dinner Theatre - 6:00 PM

• Watershed Public Theatre’s “Proof” - 7:00 - 9:30 PM

Saturday, February 22nd

• Kiwanis Annual Yard Sale at Memorial Building - 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Llama Llama PJ Party at a’Muse’um Children’s Museum - 8:30 - 9:30 AM

• C.I.T.Y. Youth Event at C1 Church - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• 2025 Mule Day Pageant - 7:00 PM

• Watershed Public Theatre’s “Proof” - 7:00 - 9:30 PM

Sunday, February 23rd

• Watershed Public Theatre’s “Proof” - 3:00 - 5:30 PM

Monday, February 24th

• Vet 2 Vet Breakfast Meet Up at Puckett’s - 7:00 - 9:00 AM

Tuesday, February 25th

• Women in Business Networking Breakfast - 8:00 AM

• Network Columbia Business Networking Meet Up at The Factory at Columbia - 9:00 AM

Columbia Planning Commission Approves Whataburger on James Campbell Blvd

The Columbia Planning Commission has approved plans for a new Whataburger location on James Campbell Boulevard. The restaurant will be built on the central plot of the former Sloan Ford dealership site and will include a section of sidewalk that has been part of the city’s long-term plans for the area. City officials requested that the development remain within signage regulations but otherwise took a minimal approach to oversight.

In addition to Whataburger’s approval, the Commission heard public comments regarding a proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) near Taylor Landing. Concerns from nearby residents focused on the non-binding nature of the zoning request, potential neglect by developers, and structural issues related to storm drainage, parking, and neighborhood character. Some residents expressed a preference for the land to be converted into a park instead.

The developer, CPS Land, responded by highlighting how the project aligns with the city’s Connect Columbia plan and detailing adjustments made based on community feedback. They pledged to add parking spaces, limit apartment heights to four stories, and cap the total number of houses at 100. The Commission opted to defer action on the proposal rather than deny it outright.

Additional approvals from the meeting included the Beechcroft Plaza PUD, a sanitary sewer pump station off Bear Creek, and an expansion of the CPWS water treatment plant. Several zoning code amendments were also passed. However, a decision on a proposed 45,000-square-foot Walmart near the Honey Farm neighborhood was postponed.

Columbia Moves Forward with Short-Term Rental Rule Changes

Columbia City Council is refining its regulations for short-term rentals, such as Airbnb and VRBO, sparking debate among residents. The council’s Feb. 13 meeting focused on proposed amendments to Ordinance 4400, which was originally established in 2022 to regulate these properties.

During the meeting, residents expressed both support and opposition to the proposed changes. Concerns raised included noise, traffic, and safety, particularly in neighborhoods where investors are purchasing multiple properties for short-term rental use. Some residents worry about the long-term effects on home values and the stability of residential communities.

Supporters of the amendments argue that short-term rentals contribute to local tourism, bring economic benefits, and generally cause fewer disturbances than some long-term rental properties. They believe the updated regulations strike a balance between maintaining neighborhood integrity and allowing property owners the freedom to rent their homes.

The council approved the proposed amendments in the first of two required readings. If passed in a final vote in March, the new ordinance would remove the requirement for short-term rental properties to be owner-occupied in certain mixed-use districts. Instead, these rentals would be allowed across most zoning areas, except for heavy manufacturing and civic districts, where they would require conditional use approval.

A grandfathering provision would allow legally registered short-term rentals to continue operating even if they no longer comply with the revised ordinance. City leaders emphasized that the approved changes impact a limited portion of Columbia’s land and can be revisited if necessary.

2/22: Kiwanis Annual Yard Sale

Get a jump start on your Spring cleaning! Donate your unwanted gently-used household stuff. Items not accepted: Clothes, TV’s, Sleeper Sofas, Compuers, Printers, Monitors.

Drop-Off:

Friday (2/21), 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Sale Day:

Saturday (2/22), 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

*Proceeds benefit Maury County Imagination Library

Maury County Public Schools Closed on Thursday

Due to several secondary, rural and neighborhood roads still impacted with snow and ice, all Maury County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, February 20. Twelve-month employees should report. The Boys & Girls Clubs will be open at the following locations:

• Wayne Street

• 8th Street

• Marvin Wright Elementary

• Mt. Pleasant Elementary

Snow Day Camp at Discovery Gym Available Thursday For Kids Ages 4-11

No school Tomorrow, February 20th in Maury County!! We have availability for our Day Camp!

Sign up online at discoverygym.com using via parent portal account! ONLY $37~ 7:30am-5:30pm

Non members will need to create an account!

This event is designed for ages 4-11. All children must be independently potty-trained to attend.

Reservations should be made in advance and must be paid in full at the time of reservation. Space is limited!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, February 20th

Jack Propst, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9  PM
An Evening of Bluegrass & Country, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Andy  Liter & Ryan Sauls, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, February 21st

Golden Soul Revue, Grinder's Switch, 6-8 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Eastern Dreamers, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
End of the Line (Allman Brothers Tribute), The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Smokin' Peas, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
Rayla Ray, The Boondox, 8-11 PM

Saturday, February 22nd

We The Kingdom, Worldwide Stages (Night of Hope), 6-8 PM
Los San Patricios, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Steve Dorff, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
The Deltaz, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Zone Status, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
Boomerang, The Boondox, 8-11 PM

Sunday, February 23rd

Adeline Csontos, Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 12:30-3:30 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Jacob Frish, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM