COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - The Columbia City Council has rejected plans for an 850-bed student housing on the east side of the city.
The council voted Monday night not to rezone land needed for the proposal from developer Park 7 Group, which wanted to build a project called "Avenue at Columbia." The proposal had divided neighbors and the planning officials for more than a year.
Mayor Bob McDavid said Columbia keeps putting students too far from campus, which causes transportation issues.
Supporters said the developer had ensured that all transportation and infrastructure concerns would be addressed, and the city should not dictate where certain groups of people have to live. They also warned of unintended consequences for neighborhoods near campus.