Planning and zoning commission approves plans for agriculture park

Plans are moving forward with a multi-million dollar agriculture park in west central Columbia.

The planning and zoning commission unanimously approved plans for the Clary-Shy agriculture park at Thursday night’s meeting.

The proposed plan includes the construction of a 35,000 square-foot farmers market shelter on a 17-acre piece of land currently owned by the city. The proposed site is next to the ARC at Ash and Clinkscales.

“Today is a step forward for the agriculture park to do all the steps with city council, to do rezoning and get this agriculture park built,” said Adam Saunders, the campaign director for the park. “So we’re excited to take a step forward.”

Saunders said they have raised more than $2.5 million for the park. The city is investing $400,000.

McClure Engineering Company said it hopes to submit final plans to the city council by Oct. 1 and start construction shortly after.