Excelsior Springs officials are hoping an amendment to the city code will help prevent overcrowding by short-term rental (STR) properties. As approved 4-1 Monday by the city council during a regular session at the Hall of Waters, the adjustment to Section 400.240 of the code requires a 1,000foot distance between most STR properties. Exceptions are those within “the downtown tourist area,” as stated in a recent memo sent to city officials by Melinda Mehaffy, economic development director. The vote followed a short presentation by Shantele Frie, city planner, reading from Mehaffy’s memo. It also followed between five and 10 minutes of discussion. During that discussion Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Spear, expressed opposition, asking what issue the city was trying to address with the amendment. “I’m not sure that we’re solving anything with this particular ordinance, especially when we have a special use permit process already in place to request that … (developers) get input from…