The Josephine County Board of Commissioners said Oct. 30 that a county-owned property on N Street is unlikely to be approved quickly as a "resting place" for people experiencing homelessness because the use is not an outright permitted use under the property's zoning.

"Even though it is appropriately zoned, this particular property is not viable because...the resting place is not an outright use, and thus it would be a long drawn out scenario to get that approved or not approved," the chair (Commissioner Bleck) said. He said the board has listened to presentations from interested parties but has not entered negotiations.

Commissioner Smith reiterated that the board has "not negotiated with anybody regarding any homelessness or home site in our county" and said the board is not endorsing any nongovernmental organization for such sites. "We have listened, and we will continue to listen and seek a solution to that problem," Smith said.

Bleck also said he would continue investigating potential properties and directed interested residents to contact the airport manager for questions about airport-related projects. He separately raised a proposal to coordinate city and county law-enforcement and prosecutorial efforts to address chronic public-safety and noncompliance issues, suggesting the board could explore funding or goal-setting with the city and the district attorney's office.

No formal approvals, site selections, or contracts were made during the session. Commissioners asked staff to provide more detailed information and records on property-use constraints and to continue consultations with relevant county departments.