SANTA PAULA : Planners Back Zone Change for New Jail

A new county jail near Santa Paula moved one step closer to reality Thursday when the county Planning Commission recommended a zoning change and an amendment to the General Plan for the 157-acre site.

The Board of Supervisors selected the site at Todd Road and the Santa Paula Freeway from among five sites last July.

They will consider the land-use change in a hearing Oct. 16.

Although the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval, members were concerned about the loss of prime agricultural land to make way for the new $51.3-million jail.

Lemon orchards now grow on the site.

The first phase of jail construction would use 15 to 20 acres, and when the project is completed it would cover about 70 acres. The remainder of the site would continue to be used for farmland.

The Planning Commission hearing was sparsely attended. Robert Pinkerton, who manages a ranch near the site, was concerned about adequate access to the new jail.

Another concern raised was contaminated soil on the site, which is being treated.

Underground fuel tanks are on the property, along with 2,400 oil-burning smudge pots.

Plans call for the jail’s first section to house 752 inmates. The Ventura County Jail in Ventura is designed to house 400 inmates, but sometimes holds up to 1,200, according to testimony heard Tuesday.