The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has voted to consider developing excess county property into affordable housing, as part of its overall, five-year plan for capital improvements.
The unanimous vote to approve the Capital Improvement Needs Assessment program for fiscal years 2017-2022 also cleared the way for county staff to explore ways of expanding the supervisors' chambers to make way for more public seating.
"Our regional housing shortage is acute, and it's going to require near-term and long-term action to address," Supervisor Ron Roberts said. "The reuse of surplus county property could be a significant part of that solution, and I would like to see us give that every consideration."
RELATED: County Improvements Approved By Board of Supervisors (2016)
The county has a $10 billion portfolio in facilities, and the Board of Supervisors receives updates on plans for the upkeep of infrastructure as well as future needs.
"Managing capital facilities is a key strategy in the general management system and supports our strategic initiatives of healthy families, safe communities, sustainable environments and operational excellence," General Service Director Marko Medved told the board. "New facilities under construction or due to begin this summer will continue to deliver sustainable buildings that improve our service to customers and the quality of our workplace."
Already funded and active projects around the county include the Imperial Beach library, a new crime lab for the sheriff's department, a combined library, park and sheriff's station in Borrego Springs, Alpine library, the North Inland Crisis facility in Escondido, and upgrades to several parks.
Medved also presented three options for improving the board chambers as part of an overall plan to renovate the County Administration Center downtown.
The first two options would keep the chambers at its current location on the third floor, while the third option would move the chamber to the northeast wing of the building on Pacific Highway and provide the largest increase in seating of all the options.
