Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Services Post Office topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New owner negotiating Placerville post office lease; county cites leverage over septic leach field
Summary
County staff said the Placerville post office building has a new owner negotiating terms with the U.S. Postal Service and that San Miguel County can leverage a leach-field arrangement on county property to influence continued post office operation.
County officials told residents they are monitoring negotiations after local commercial property that houses the Placerville U.S. Postal Service was sold to a private buyer.
County staff said the building was purchased by Mr. Blackman (identified in the meeting as Matt Blackman of Harley Brook Kitchens), and that the existing USPS lease runs through the end of 2026. The new owner has asked for higher rent, and the Postal Service commissioned an appraisal while county staff prepared a letter to emphasize the post office’s importance to the community.
Why it matters: the post office provides a remote-area, daily service that residents said is critical for mail and package access. County staff said they will intervene with the Postal Service if lease negotiations threaten continual service.
County staff identified an operational lever: the post office’s septic leach field sits on county-owned land. Staff said the county told the buyer that the county would allow free use of the leach field only while the building functions as a post office; should the property convert to a different commercial use, the county will seek reimbursement or other compensation for county property use.
On contingency planning, county staff said the lease does not expire until 2026, giving time for negotiations, and that county-owned nearby parcels could eventually be offered as alternate sites, though no concrete backup plan had been selected. Staff said they are tracking the negotiations and will help the U.S. Postal Service identify alternate locations if necessary.
Ending: County officials said they were monitoring the situation, preparing communications to the Postal Service and awaiting the outcome of the buyer’s appraisal and ensuing negotiations.
