Residents press board to delay surplus land transfers near Diamond Springs; staff outlines HCD process

Multiple residents addressed the board during the consent‑calendar public comment period on Oct. 20 about two surplus land items affecting properties near Diamond Springs and Missouri Flat interchange areas (public comments referenced items on the consent calendar).

Speakers including Sue Taylor, Chris Payne and others told the board they opposed declaring county parcels exempt surplus and transferring them for development before key transportation improvements (phase II of the Missouri Flat interchange) are completed. Commenters raised several specific concerns: - Evacuation capacity: Residents said the local road network has limited capacity for mass evacuation in a wildfire and that additional development could impede evacuation. Commenters argued that approving surplus designations before the interchange expansion…