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Officials, residents debate Highway 17 parcel and several alternatives for sheriff's office
Summary
Committee members, the sheriff and residents traded views over whether the county's 35‑acre parcel on US‑17 is the right site or whether alternative parcels (Katy Veil/Townsend corner, 'Florida Fence Post' corner, FEMA lot, old cattle market) should be evaluated for utilities, annexability and long‑term use.
The meeting featured extended discussion of the county's proposed 35.18‑acre parcel on Highway 17 and several alternate parcels proposed by members and residents. County staff and the sheriff emphasized the current parcel’s adjacency to county properties, municipal utilities and future growth. "It's going to be large enough for the next 75 years," Sheriff Crawford said, arguing the site offered the utility and space needed for the sheriff's office and jail.
Residents and community leaders countered that Highway 17 frontage is prime commercial real estate and urged evaluation of other parcels. Community member Mr. Gilliard said the site "didn't just skate through" and urged the committee to consider the old Florida Fence Post corner, the FEMA property near the hospital and other parcels. Denise Grimsley, CEO of Development Group 107, said government uses already cluster along Highway 17 and noted modern facilities are more screened and landscaped than older models.
City staff agreed that annexation, utilities and flood zone status will limit feasible options and that available GIS data would help screen candidates. Committee discussion weighed tradeoffs: lost commercial frontage versus consolidated government services and long‑term operational needs.
