"We are very happy and thankful," homeowners' association secretary Lisa Ketchum said. "Hopefully it can be put on the fast-track and we can get some relief soon."
Park residents have been clamoring for relief from cost increases they say have forced working families and people on fixed incomes out of the community.
|
|
The homeowners' association has been battling for rent regulation for the past two years, during which time rents have climbed 6 percent a year to $750. Residents own their homes, but lease the land. Many also pay monthly mortgages.
Recently residents received notice that water service, previously included in the rent, would be billed separately, a change that is expected to cost residents an average of $60 a month.
Nurseryman's Exchange and other employers have expressed concern that rising rents at the park were depleting a major source of housing for workers.
"Taking steps to control rent at that park is important not only to Nurseryman's Exchange, but to the whole community," said Don Mendel, general counsel for the company.
"It is very important there are places on the coast where housing is affordable, and this is one of the few in the area."
The site is designated as affordable housing in the county's local coastal plan (LCP).
"There is no other mechanism to ensure that this site remains affordable housing, so how else do you enforce the LCP?" Gordon said.
In an unusual move, Gordon has drafted legislation that would apply specifically to the El Granada park.
The park has a history of strained relationships with residents. Management recently refused Gordon's request to enter into mediation with residents.
The ordinance would cap the amount of rent increases unless park owners demonstrate that greater increases were warranted.
Gordon said he expected the mobile home park owners to fight such regulation. A Kingsley Management representative was unavailable for comment at press time.
"If the board adopts this, I'm sure it will be in court," Gordon said. "There isn't a single rent-control measure that I'm aware of that hasn't been challenged."
The proposal has been modeled after rent control ordinances that have withstood legal challenges, according to Gordon.
w