Title
Receive a report on County-owned blighted facilities and provide direction to staff.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Capital Improvement Committee receive a report on the County owned property that is either vacant or has deferred maintenance leading to a blighted appearance, how Community Development Block Grant Funds may be used to address blighting conditions, and provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY:
During the September 26, 2023, Board of Supervisors meeting, a question was asked regarding blighted County properties and the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to address blight. In response to that question, County staff has reviewed its facilities list and identified potentially blighted properties.
DISCUSSION:
County staff have identified at least 12 County owned properties that have deferred maintenance needs or reuse potential. Attachment A is a list of these properties, with information on current uses, conditions, and possible future uses. It should be noted that some properties, especially the Laurel Yard, are a mix of occupied and unoccupied buildings or land. This blend of occupied and vacant space can make it challenging to determine if CDBG funds can be used to address existing slums or blight conditions.
To be eligible for CDBG assistance, a project must meet one of three National Objectives. The National Objectives are Activities Benefitting Low/Moderate Income Persons, Prevention/Elimination of Slums or Blight, and Urgent Needs. The activities allowed to meet these National Objectives are acquisition for clearance, clearance, relocation, historic preservation, or rehabilitation (but only to the extent necessary to eliminate specific conditions detrimental to public health and safety). There are two important requirements that may constrain the County's use of CDBG funding to address slums and blight. First, the County may not use CDBG funds for "buildings used for the general conduct of government"; e...
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