IRVINE

Within the next two years, a restored Irvine Family Mansion may be home to the city’s newest library branch.

City Council members unanimously endorsed a $2-million proposal by the Orange County Public Library to reconstruct the mansion and install a state-of-the-art library.

The city’s third library branch, which would be approximately 7,000 square feet, would serve the Northwood and lower Peters Canyon area.

Originally built in 1876 on five acres, the two-story mansion has been remodeled three times during its long history.

The county’s Harbors, Beaches and Parks Commission and Board of Supervisors are scheduled to vote on the proposal in November.

And the Irvine Co. is expected to contribute $1.2 million in developer fees to the project. The county library will need to raise the remaining $800,000 to $1 million to finish it.