HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - March 3, 1990 - CC AGENDA ITEM
CITY OF AZUSA
Azusa, California
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: #i OY E. BRUCKNE 'RECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DATE: MARCH 19, 1990
SUBJECT: STATUS REPORT: RENT STABILIZATION FOR MOBILE HOME PARKS
Some time ago, the City Council directed staff to explore the
issue of rent control in Azusa mobile home parks. Staff has been
researching the subject and has been gathering information in
order to develop a comprehensive report exploring the various
aspects of the issue, which would help the City Council make more
informed decisions.
The report will focus on the extent of the problem in Azusa, and
the most appropriate method of dealing with the problem. While
the report has not yet been completed, the following important
facts have been found:
1. Many cities in California have wrestled with the issue of
rent control in mobile home parks over the years. This has
resulted in the adoption many local ordinances and State laws
and has generated extensive case law.
2 . Because rent control pits the residents against the owners,
with cities often caught in the middle, the majority of cases
have ended up in court, with cities having to expend
significant legal costs, as well as costs of administering
rent control ordinances. Escondido, for example, has a
budget of over $300, 000 per year to administer the program.
Carson has spent over $1 million in legal costs since rent
control enactment in 1979. Santa Barbara has spent $300,000
in attorney fees. With Azusa's austere budget, the City has
to be careful in selecting a solution to the problem which is
fiscally responsible.
3 . There are six (6) mobile home parks in Azusa. These vary in
age, quality and amenities. Perhaps the oldest is Smithy's
Trailer Park and the newest include Arrow Pines and Foothill
Vista. Recreational amenities range from none at Azusa
Mobile Home Park on Loren Avenue to pool, spa, recreation
building and shuffleboard courts at Foothill Vista.
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MEMO TO CITY COUNCIL
RE: RENT STABILIZATION FOR MOBILE HOME PARKS
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4. The extent of the residents' dissatisfaction with rent
increases appears to vary among the various parks. In other
words, perceptions are stronger in some parks than in others.
Staff intends to explore this further, because once the
extent of the problem is known, the selection of the most
feasible option would be easier.
5. Among the options available to the City Council in dealing
with the issue, are the following:
• A complete rent control ordinance with
administrative budget and staff for implementation.
• An ordinance requiring the execution of long-term
lease agreements between owners and residents.
• Mobile home residents' purchase of the mobile home
parks. Some limited State funding assistance is
available in the form of short term loans. This
would only be possible if the park owners are
willing.
• Rent subsidies to qualified residents.
• Direct negotiations with the owners of parks where
rent escalation has been a problem for the
residents.
• Condominiumizing the mobile home park, so that
residents would own their own spaces, coaches, and
a portion of the common areas. This would only be
possible if the park owners are willing.
• Unit sharing.
Staff will be completing interviews with mobile home park owners
and residents within the next week. It is anticipated that the
report will be completed for Council consideration in the next
few weeks. A staff recommendation will be made at that time.
REB/lmr
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