SAN DIEGO - The Chargers continue to say they have not made any decision regarding relocation, but the team confirmed Thursday that it has submitted plans to the city of Santa Ana in Orange County for a possible team headquarters and practice facility.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune first reported the team's plans Thursday, and Chargers counsel Mark Fabiani issued this statement to 10News:
"This week the Chargers submitted grading and landscape plans for approval by the City of Santa Ana. The plans are for a five-acre parcel in Santa Ana that would be the location of the team’s interim headquarters and training facilities in the event the team exercises its option to relocate to the Los Angeles area. The Chargers were granted the right to relocate to Los Angeles by vote of the NFL's ownership on January 12, 2016. The franchise is continuing to review all of its options, and no final decision on relocation has been made. It was necessary for the team to submit the grading and landscape plans now because of the long lead time necessary to secure land use approvals and to prepare the natural grass practice fields in time for the team's offseason workout schedule."
The team's announcement comes as the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum considers a plan that would allow two NFL teams to temporarily share the stadium with the USC football team. USC's current lease only allows one NFL team.
The Rams, who are relocating to the Los Angeles area, will play at the Coliseum until the team's new stadium is built in suburban Inglewood, and the NFL has given the San Diego Chargers an option to join them. If the Chargers decline, the option would transfer to the Oakland Raiders.
The Chargers have until next January to decide if they will pursue the Inglewood option.
