COUNTYWIDE : Land Condemnation to Begin for New Jail
Despite opposition, the County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday to begin condemnation proceedings on 157 acres near Santa Paula where they want to build a new jail.
Supervisor John K. Flynn, an opponent of the jail site, voted against condemnation because soil contamination on the property hasn’t been completely cleaned up.
“I want to know what is in there before I vote,” he said. He also said the Freeman water diversion project on the Santa Clara River is being built next to the site, raising concerns about water contamination.
The dam’s proximity to the jail site also is a worry to United Water Conservation District water project managers. Officials of the district said they want the county to release the district from liability should the jail’s location ever harm the project or the water.
Other objections to the site were raised by Richard Main, representing Citizens for Sound Environmental Policy, a group of Santa Paula area residents.
The county has offered the owners of the property, Michael R. and Nancy A. Brucker, $2.6 million, but the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement. Negotiations will continue even though condemnation has been ordered, said Arthur E. Goulet, director of the county’s public works agency.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
