Polk County is now under contract for its new jail property just outside Columbus and commissioners approved a new government and public facilities zoning district for the property.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, July 18 and approved the new district following a public hearing as well as heard from county manager Marche Pittman who gave the board updates on the jail property.

During the public hearing, county planner Cathy Ruth said the current jail area has four zoning districts, including one from the Town of Columbus that will not change.

The property, prior to being rezoned on Monday to the government and public facilities zoning district, was zoned industrial, highway commercial and multiple use.

Ruth said the rezoning will essentially limit the uses to government uses.

Resident John Vining spoke during the public hearing saying accessory buildings and utility buildings in the permitted use table sounds pretty broad to him. Vining also said he doesn’t see a police impound lot as one of the uses nor a recycling center. Vining also questioned the map which does not include a rear entrance to the property, saying that doesn’t mean there needs to be a rear entrance but he wondered if the county was planning one.

Vining also asked if there would be a section for rental property, saying once the jail is built there will be a lot of employees and he could see a coffee or sandwich shop that could be rented from the county. He also mentioned how hot large parking lots get in the summer and suggested the county plant trees in the parking lots.

Art Marquis also spoke during the public hearing saying he never understood how the county purchased 19 acres for $1.9 million, which is $100,000 an acre.

“That’s a lot of money,” Marquis said. “I wanted to hear why we spent so much.”

Polk chair Michael Gage asked Pittman to speak with Marquis after the meeting to give him details.

Commissioner Ray Gasperson answered Marquis’ question later saying he’s spoken to a lot of people in the public about the $1.95 million price tag.

“When you look at commercial properties in Columbus, the tax appraisal is $100,000 an acre,” Gasperson said.

He added that commercial property in Saluda is $200,000 an acre or more right now.

Gasperson said the county is not buying just land. The county is purchasing the property site ready with the road, curb and guttering installed. He said a small stream has to be crossed with a bridge and when you look at costs at the 4H property the county previously considered for the jail, it’s very comparable if not lower, depending on how much the county would have had to spend to prepare the site for building. At the 4H property, the county would have had to remove a building with asbestos, Gasperson said.

Gasperson said the new property accomplishes two things, including being a site for the law enforcement complex, and it’s prepared for future years when the county decides to build a new courthouse.

The property also has utilities running through or near it so the county will not have to spend extra funds to connect to utilities, including water and sewer services, natural gas and fiber optic.

“It’s putting the county on the right path for decades to come,” Gasperson said.

During the discussion regarding rezoning the property, Pittman said there is a section on the property that can be used for an impound lot.

Ruth also said for every five parking spaces the district will require a tree to be planted.

The Polk County Planning Board when recommending the new zoning district expressed concern over there being a vegetative buffer at the rear of the property for nearby residents. Commissioners came to a consensus Monday night to include a buffer of trees or bushes at the rear of the property. Pittman said a buffer would cost the county a minimal amount.

On a rear entrance, Pittman said there will eventually be a gated exit/entrance from Park Street in case of emergencies only, such as a flood blocking off the front entrance.

Pittman also updated commissioners on the property, which is located between Park Street and Milliken off Hwy. 108. Pittman said the offer to purchase has been signed and the property is under contract. He said the site plan that shows topographical data will be updated soon. Pittman also said site clearing has begun, with contractors on site cutting trees already. He said they are not finished with the future courthouse and jail side as far as clearing but they are making progress.