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 could leave the community without adequate evacuation capacity. - Flooding and drainage: Speakers pointed to recent flooding in El Dorado and suggested run‑off from additional development would worsen drainage in Diamond Springs and nearby Weber Creek. - Process and transparency: Several speakers said state law and county policy require disclosure of written findings, and urged the board to ensure attachments and pre‑negotiation details be provided to the public (commenters said some required written findings or background materials were not attached to the agenda in their view).

Staff explanation Interim county administrative staff explained the surplus declaration process. Key points staff made on the record: - Declaring property exempt surplus does not immediately transfer it to private parties; state law (HCD processes) and a pecking order of offers to other government agencies apply. The county would generally offer property first to state housing agencies or other governmental entities before public sale to private buyers. - Declaring a parcel exempt surplus allows the county to pursue negotiations with interested government agencies (staff noted negotiations with the State of California may follow), but staff said they must follow HCD notice and offer processes and any deed restrictions the board may require.

Board action The board ultimately approved the consent calendar (including the contested surplus items) with a recusal recorded on item 27. Supervisors asked staff to explain the surplus process on the record and to ensure any future negotiations include transparent disclosure of state interest letters and supporting findings. Several supervisors and members of the public asked that staff provide more documentation on prior purchases and funding sources for the parcels.

Why this matters The surplus declaration and subsequent negotiation with government agencies can affect future development patterns, local evacuation and drainage capacity, and the timing of transportation mitigation such as interchange phases. Residents urged the board to hold surplus land actions until key infrastructure is in place and to provide fuller documentation to the public.

Provenance Public comment on the consent calendar contained multiple statements about Perks Court, Missouri Flat Interchange Phase II, flooding and the potential impacts of declaring property exempt surplus; staff remarks explaining HCD first‑right processes were recorded in the Oct. 20 meeting transcript.