Commissioners approve multiple right‑of‑way payments and condemnations for Hereford Farm Road widening

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5 approved multiple acquisitions and resolutions of taking to obtain right‑of‑way and easements for the Hereford Farm Road widening and improvement project.

Vice Chair Couch moved and the board approved negotiated payments to property owners for right‑of‑way and easements: $24,900 to Ginger Webb (Parcel 072162H), $33,300 to John Davis (Parcel 072J061), $14,600 to Melissa and Arianna Reese (Parcel 072J186), and $17,500 to Adrian Velez (Parcel 072241). The chair recorded that these were standard acquisitions; staff said these payments reduced the outstanding number of acquisitions for the project.

The commission also approved resolutions of taking (declarations of condemnation) for portions of Tax Map 067015 and Tax Map 067064F to allow county acquisition of land needed to improve, widen, pave, align and maintain Hereford Farm Road. Additional payments were approved later in the meeting, including $20,000 to GVS Holdings LLC (partial), $84,000 to Cynthia Enriquez (partial), and $30,000 to Leila and Raymond Cheney (partial), plus another multi‑parcel condemnation resolution covering several 072B and 073 parcels.

Commissioners described the items as standard right‑of‑way actions to advance a planned roadway project; motions were seconded and approved on the record. Staff said the acquisitions reduced the remaining number of parcels to be acquired for the widening project. The board then recessed to executive session for property matters and returned to ratify the actions publicly.

Next steps: county staff will record deeds, process payments and proceed with right‑of‑way conveyance documentation so construction design and contracting can continue as scheduled.