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City officials say the cost will be $4 a year for pets spayed and neutered, $20 a year for those that aren't.

FOREST ACRES, S.C. — If you have a furry friend, they will soon no longer live rent free in the greater Columbia area. You're soon going to have to pay a price for their license to live in Forest Acres.

The City of Forest Acres has officially approved their intergovernmental agreement with Richland County for animal control services.

According to the city's attorney, the city previously had this agreement with Richland County, but this time around, dog and cat owners have to pay a license fee to Richland County to register their pet.

It's $4 a year for those spayed and neutered, $20 a year for those that aren't.

"There are exceptions to that for service animals, I think hunting dogs, a few specific categories that are exempt from that," said William Dillard, Forest Acres city attorney.

Dillard tells News 19 other Richland County jurisdictions already follow this rule.

"Everybody in unincorporated Richland County is subject to that, basically every other municipality within Richland County is subject to that. Blythewood, Eastover and the portion of Irmo within Richland County all have this agreement and work under the county ordinance," Dillard said.

Local dog owners explain that they have no issue with the fee.

"You want a government to have an idea of what animals are actually in its jurisdiction, I mean especially if some of the animals are dangerous," Elizabeth Franklin-Best, Forest Acres resident said.

"It's very easy and I think it's a very reasonable amount," Kathleen Taylor, city of Columbia resident said.

Leaders in Forest Acres explain there's a fine if you don't register your pet. It's $500, but folks in Forest Acres will have a 30 day grace period after the ordinance is adopted.

And according to city leaders in Forest Acres, the pet licensing portion of the ordinance in the intergovernmental agreement is expected to be adopted into law by August.

Also, Forest Acres council members tell News 19 once you're registered, you'll get a notification from Richland County every year.

The city tells News 19 they plan to get the word out to residents about this fee following Tuesday night's meeting.

For more details about how to register your pet, click here.

Village Idiot Pizza, long a well-known name in the Midlands dining scene, says it will close one of its three current locations by the end of the month.

Co-owner Kelly Glynn told The State Monday morning that the Village Idiot at 4517 Forest Drive in Forest Acres will close, likely by the end of December. The location, which is in the Forest Village shopping center, has been open since 2009.

“We have decided not to renew our lease,” Glynn said. “So we will be closing at the end of December, right before the Christmas holiday. ... It’s very bittersweet.”

Kelly Glynn said she and husband Brian Glynn, who have long owned Village Idiot, recently were notified the property where the Forest Drive restaurant is located was being sold. Considering that sale, and the fact that Village Idiot has recently launched a franchising model for new locations, Kelly said it was simply time for Village Idiot to exit the current space on Forest Drive.

However, she said Village Idiot is open to establishing another storefront in Forest Acres at a different location.

“We are hoping to find a better space in Forest Acres that is better suited to our franchise model, which is more like the Olympia location,” Kelly Glynn said, referring to the company’s store at 612 Whaley St., near the Olympia Mills apartments. “We’ve been there (in Forest Acres) and done so much in that community. It’s definitely a neighborhood we would like to keep a Village Idiot in. ... We love the community, so we hope something will emerge soon.”

The original Village Idiot is at 2009 Devine St. in Five Points, where it was founded in 1990. The Glynns bought the business in 2003, and the brand has been a mainstay on the Midlands food landscape. In 2022, readers of The State voted it the area’s favorite pizza joint in a widely read poll. Village Idiot has long been known for its New York-style pizza, which comes in whole pies or by the slice.

In May, Village Idiot announced it planned to expand, offering franchise opportunities for the first time. Kelly Glynn said the expansion plans are still proceeding, and they have been in talks with potential franchisees.

Glynn said there are about 15 employees at the Forest Acres Village Idiot. She said those employees would be offered the opportunity to transfer to one of the other two locations.

This story was originally published December 4, 2023, 10:16 AM.

Chris Trainor is a retail reporter for The State and has been working for newspapers in South Carolina for more than 19 years, including previous stops at the (Greenwood) Index-Journal and the (Columbia) Free Times. He is the winner of numerous South Carolina Press Association awards, including honors in column writing, government beat reporting, profile writing, food writing, election coverage, social media and more.

Trenholm Road, Willingham Drive, and Percival Road are listed on SCDOT's project map for potholes and cracks.

FOREST ACRES, S.C. — The City of Forest Acres will discuss current road projects underway during its regular city council meeting on Tuesday, July 25.

State Representative Heather Bauer and leaders with the SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT) are scheduled to be on hand to provide an update and to hear residents' concerns about roads in the area.

This past legislative session, Bauer said one of her top goals was the Richland Mall Revitalization Project in Forest Acres. Now that that project is underway, she’s expanding her focus to roads in the area.

“I would say over a dozen in Forest Acres proper will be at least rehabbed or resurfaced, and then there are several bridges throughout the city that are going to be looked at as well," Bauer said.

Trenholm Road, Willingham Drive, and Percival Road are listed on SCDOT's project map for potholes and cracks in the road.

While resurfacing those roads is in motion and expected to be completed within the next year, Bauer is looking to hear from residents about the other problem areas.

Grace Hubbard grew up in Forest Acres and said she’d like to see some traffic solutions.

“I know there’s been talks of some roundabouts and I would like to see those, I think it would help the traffic a lot, especially on Forest Drive," Hubbard said.

Jennifer Feinberg said she comes to Forest Acres to shop but has noticed some congestion as well.

“Widen and fix the potholes, otherwise things seem to be working smooth," Feinberg said. "The more people shop over here, they’re going to have to improve it."

Bauer said this is where SCDOT will come in at the meeting. The representative from the department could bring potential solutions for roads and pedestrian walkways.

“I know that speaking with city council, they want Forest Acres to be more walkable and safe," Bauer said.

Bauer said in addition to listening to concerns, her job is getting the money to make these solutions a reality.

The meeting will also include a public hearing over the proposed zoning changes for Forest Lake Place leading into Gills Creek Memorial Park.

Council will also swear in new Mayor Thomas Andrews and City Council Members Stephen Oliver and Ryan Newton.

FOREST ACRES, S.C. (WIS) - Demolition for the redevelopment of the former Richland Mall in Forest Acres could happen in a matter of weeks, according to officials who spoke at a press conference on Monday.

Mayor Thomas Andrews, the Forest Acres City Council, Senator Mia McLeod and Representatives Beth Berstein and Heather Bauer were among those at the press conference.

Officials said $3 million in the state budget will be allocated toward purchasing and developing a new city park at the site. Demolition for the park is estimated to start in 18 months.

“This redevelopment project was a heavy lift, and it was taken across the finish line thanks to the collaboration and cooperation of our legislators and county council members,” said Andrews. “We are thrilled to say the public can soon expect to see this monstrous structure coming down to pave the way for this generational transformation.”

The proposed project consists of two phases. The first phase includes the completion of 50,000 square feet of retail stores and restaurants, a large grocery store and 380 apartments. It is unclear what the second phase will entail at this time.

“While this is a different kind of project,” Andrews continued. “It’s a redevelopment that will transform, for the better, a center for this county and I hope this benefits the entire county.”

In addition to the accelerated plans for the mall, the city also had an update for its newly bought $3 million 6-acre plot of land. The property, which is currently a parking lot, will be revamped into a new park with an outdoor performance area, walking trails, green space and other amenities that will highlight the new additions to the mall.

“We are going to be able to build a park here,” Andrews added. “And take a neglected parking lot and a forgotten creek and turn it into a community space that highlights the best of nature.”

“When I think about a park, an amphitheater, I think a mixed-use community,” Sen. Mia McLeod said. “It’s going to be awesome. I’ve talked to so many business and community leaders who are excited about just redeveloping this space.”

Demolition is expected to take about a year, but a date has not been set for it to start yet.

The 32-acre property was purchased by Southeastern Development, LLC in early 2023. Officials said the Augusta-based company’s original redevelopment plans called to remodel the former Parisian building to relocate Belk. However, Belk is no longer part of the project since the department store closed its Forest Acres location permanently in 2023.

“The public should anticipate changes to the overall site plan and an accelerated timeline for the mall park,” Andrews added. “We are excited to share that with everyone on Monday.”

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FOREST ACRES, S.C. (WIS) - A new agreement between the city of Forest Acres and Richland County approved on Tuesday will soon require pet owners in the city to register their furry friends.

Forest Acres has been utilizing Richland County’s animal control services for years, but the city was previously exempt from this requirement under an original agreement that expired last year.

The county has required citizens to register their pets for nearly 30 years.

In negotiations with Richland County, Forest Acres City Administrator Shaun Greenwood said county officials indicated it was only fair that Forest Acres fall in line with all the other towns in unincorporated areas of the county that must register their pets.

“I think we were the only ones not paying it, and the county got back to us and said, ‘No, your residents would have to start registering their animals just like everyone else,’” he said. “It’s not something that we can avoid. We just want to make sure our citizens know about it, and have every opportunity to comply.”

Under its agreement with the county, dog, and cat owners will soon need to pay a small licensing fee yearly: $4.21 per year for spayed or neutered pets and $21.07 for fertile pets.

The owner of an unregistered pet risks facing a $500 county fine.

“You run a risk because any time there could be any kind of interaction that involves your animal, it could bring up the situation where ‘Oh, that animal’s not registered,’ and therefore the county could levy the fine,” Greenwood said.

Several Forest Acres pet owners said they are on board with the rule.

“I’d rather have a small fee than a $500 fee when they go to the pound,” Meaghan Tatum said. “$4 versus $500?”

Lucy Way is an animal lover who has lived in the city for 58 years.

“They’ve really never had it so I haven’t really paid somebody to have to own my dog, but in the end, it’s probably a good idea because they do go missing,” she said. “Better to have them to where they’re going to be safe if they get out.”

Richland County Animal Care says registering pets benefits both owners and animal care services.

A pet license ensures that animals are vaccinated against rabies, and could help animal control return pets to owners sooner if they were to go missing.

“It’s less of a hassle if they can look and say this dog belongs to this address and take the dog back there and be able to secure them or knock on a door and let you know, ‘Did you know your dog was running around out on the street?’” Greenwood said. “It makes that process ultimately easier.”

Pets with county tags also get longer care periods.

They can stay in a shelter for a week longer than strays, according to Richland County Animal Care.

Greenwood said if Forest Acres were to provide its own animal services separate from the county, it would not be an efficient use of city funds.

That would require equipment, a facility, and the hiring of at least two full-time animal care officers.

“When we look at the level of service that we typically require here in Forest Acres, it’s just not enough for us to put that burden onto our taxpayers to ask them to fund those things full-time when there is a viable service that we can work through with the county.”

Forest Acres now has 60 days to adopt the county’s animal control ordinance, which means in August residents will be expected to start registering their pets.

Richland County could begin issuing fines at any point 30 days after that.

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