“Many of the people living in Rancho Santa Paula have a very limited income,” said resident Bill Allen. “They don’t have $100,000-plus to purchase the property their house is sitting on.”“Some misinformation” has been stated, according to a representative of the owner of Rancho Santa Paula, who told the Council that rental cost would still be protected if conversions occurred and that those who are not low-income would received stepped-up rent increases. The state even has a program for low-income coach owners offering three percent financing for lot purchases.“I don’t understand why someone would purchase a park if there is not profit to be made,” noted Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre. “My discussion with some residents is that they like the status quo.”The ordinance, which impacts 824 coach owners in the city’s six mobilehome parks, takes effect immediately and can be extended to two years with Council approval.
Council approves mobile home park conversion urgency ordinance
October 10, 2007
Santa Paula City Council
As expected, the City Council unanimously adopted an urgency ordinance that will prohibit the conversion of mobile home parks into “for sale” lots to coach owners for at least 45 days.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAs expected, the City Council unanimously adopted an urgency ordinance that will prohibit the conversion of mobile home parks into “for sale” lots to coach owners for at least 45 days. The action came after a mobile home park representative said that so-called condominium conversions would not adversely affect the space rent for low-income coach owners.The Council adopted the ordinance, prompted by a pending state bill that would protect coach owners from unwanted conversions, at the October 1 meeting. The Council had directed City Attorney to prepare the ordinance at the September 17 meeting to ensure it complies with the city’s current mobile home regulations.At the September 17 meeting, Berger reminded the Council that the city has an ordinance that only allows conversions through Conditional Use Permit approval. If such a conversion occurs and one person purchases property, it would remove rental control.The owner of Rancho Santa Paula has twice attempted to file a tentative tract map, but it has been deemed incomplete.
