Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

ECS development is planned near the intersection of Fox Mountain Road, Highway 108. 

 

COLUMBUS—Tensions flared at the Columbus Town Council meeting on Thursday, April 17, where council members engaged in a heated debate with the builders of the proposed Enchanted Construction Services subdivision. Despite the contentious atmosphere, the council ultimately voted to approve the ECS Master Plan, asserting that it met all legal requirements and marked only the beginning of a lengthy approval process.

The ECS development is planned for a site located behind the Milliken plant, at the intersection of Fox Mountain Road and Highway 108. 

The Columbus Planning Board deferred the responsibility of approving the ECS Master Plan to the Town Council during its meeting on April 7, as it was unable to finalize its decision within the 45-day review window.

The meeting began with public comments, including a statement from Polk County School Superintendent Aaron Greene, who discussed the potential impact of the proposed development on school capacity. Greene provided objective information about enrollment trends, noting that the school system could accommodate an additional 30 to 40 students per grade across all schools. He noted that overcrowding could arise from a sudden influx of families, with children in the same grade level. The middle and high schools had more room for growth compared to the elementary schools. He added the significant financial investments required for new school construction, likely between $25 million and $50 million for an elementary school.

Preston Janco from the Foothills Regional Commission presented the ECS Master Plan during the meeting. He reinforced that the plan met all necessary legal criteria and emphasized that its approval was just the first step before a more comprehensive review known as the Preliminary Plan.

The discussion intensified when ECS’s lawyer, Mr. Justice, addressed the council, sparking a contentious back-and-forth regarding a letter he had sent to Columbus Town Attorney Jill Camp. Council Member Brent Jackson interpreted Justice’s letter as a threat of litigation and responded with a letter of his own, defending the planning board’s decisions and emphasizing the council’s capability to make informed decisions.

In summary, Jackson’s letter suggested that threats of litigation were unwarranted and emphasized the council’s ethical duty in assessing the current proposal. Ultimately, he found Mr. Justice’s comments disrespectful to local authorities and citizens.

Council Member Mark Phillips, who echoed Jackson’s sentiments, then read Mr. Justice’s letter into the record. The letter references concerns about community opposition, including residents expressing “Not In My Backyard” sentiments and misinformation regarding the property. He also stated that the town’s denial of the project would be unlawful, citing state laws and court cases that protect property owners from unjustified denial of development applications.

Council Member Becky Kennedy raised specific questions about the project, while Mayor Pat McCool and Phillips questioned whether the proposed Master Plan aligned with the original goals for the Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) zoning, which aims to attract community benefits such as a grocery store. Concerns were voiced about including the proposed YMCA in the ECS plan, which would allow the property to be designated as mixed-use to align with the TND, given that the YMCA has not yet broken ground or met its funding goals.

After a thorough discussion, the council voted to approve the Master Plan, with Jackson making the motion and Phillips seconding it, stating their commitment to continued dialogue with the builders before the next phase of development. 

The next Columbus Town Council meeting is scheduled for May 15 at 5:15 p.m., where community members and stakeholders will continue to engage on local development issues.