Manufactured Home Owners Network: Questions & Answers / Modular Lifestyles
John Sisker
www.mfghomeowners.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2009
Manufactured Home Owners Network
Questions & Answers
(...Modular Lifestyles...)
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(Disclaimers)
Editorials and/or Personal Comments:
Related materials are published with the assumption that they are true
and/or as an expression of Freedom of Speech rights. The following is the
personal opinion of myself, and/or others, and is circulated here for
informational purposes only. It is not intended to render any specific
and/or legal advice, nor to disparage, slander, and/or libel any person
and/or organization. It is simply meant to shed light on a number of growing
concerns.
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Notes:
The information contained within this particular circulation in not
connected to or affiliated in any way with the Manufactured Home E-Mail
Net(work) and/or Manufactured Home (Owners) Network. This is simply the
means to circulate the information. It is also the personal opinion of
myself, and/or others, and does not imply any endorsements or connections to
anyone or any organization.
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Questions & Answers:
Here is the opportunity to have your concerns addressed on an individual
basis. While I am not a lawyer, I will try to answer each submitted question
to the best of my ability. However, remember that this is just my opinion.
If any additional and/or legal advice seems appropriate, I will tell you
that as well. For those questions submitted that would benefit from
additional input, I have included here. This way, others can add their
comments as well. Therefore, if you have a new question or concern, let's
hear from you. On the other hand, if you want to enhance a question/answer
already addressed, this is the proper forum for that as well.
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Subject to Further Distribution:
You are included here on this e-mail distribution list because you either
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further distribution for the express purpose of extracting additional input.
This is for your benefit and is a free service of the Manufactured Home
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no time is the actual e-mail address of others sold and/or used in any way
that is not in keeping with the reason it was for receiving for in the fist
place.
Thanks,
John Sisker
======================================================================================================================
(still here to serve all your manufactured/mobile home needs and inquiries)
-- www.mfghomespecialist.net --
To Whom It May Concern:
I just put the finishing touches on my new and improved website, that now
shows my connection and affiliation to Modular Lifestyles. It is at
www.mfghomespecialist.net. Please take a look at it when you have the
opportunity. This became necessary, when for one, I retired from Mesa Homes,
and two, they are apparently gone from their old location anyway. Therefore,
it appears that my timing was right on.
Sincerely,
jsi...@sprynet.com
www.mfghomespecialist.net
(714) 536-3850
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(no longer with Mesa Homes)
Hi John;
In your latest Q & A (9/17/09), you stated that you were no longer with Mesa
Homes. I just drove past the lot and it is empty?!?! What happened? Did
they just move or did they fold like so many businesses in OC?
Please advise. Thank you.
Ken
Garden Terrace Estates
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(I am with Modular Lifestyles)
Hi Ken,
I personally felt for some time now that Mesa Homes could not survive at
that location. There was just not enough business to keep going. In essence,
I retired from Mesa Homes, but also signed on with Modular Lifestyles
instead to at least keep my license active during this soft economy. It
looks like I made the right decision.
Since I left Mesa Home, I have not been in communication with them in any
way. However, the last time I drove by their display location, most of the
models were indeed gone. Are you sure the lot was now entirely empty, office
and all, or just in need of some replacement homes? Any cars in the parking
lot?
John Sisker
Senior Sales Consultant
jsi...@sprynet.com
www.mfghomespecialist.net
(714) 536-3850
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(vacant lot?)
John,
It is just one big vacant lost, with no homes, office and/or cars.
Ken
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(CLOSURE)
The following is intended for informational purposes only.
It is simply my personal opinion, and is not meant to render any legal
and/or other type advice and/or evaluations.
Nor is it meant to undermine anyone or any one company, it is just a form of
communications.
Therefore, any personal input from others in this reference is most welcome.
The other day, on the way home from Disneyland, I drove by the Mesa lot
myself just to see and make sure. Not that I doubted what Ken had said, but
I felt I owed it to everyone just to make sure, after all, there could have
been some type of miscommunication and/or Ken was looking at the wrong lot.
However, sure enough, Ken was indeed correct. The Mesa Homes on Beach Blvd.
in Stanton, California is now just one big vacant lot. There was not even a
sign or other means of communication as to their fate, or even if this
closure is the same at their other locations as well.
My first reaction was actually that of anger. Even though I could see this
coming as a possibility, we were constantly being told that there was
nothing to worry about, that the lot models that had been sold would soon be
replaced, as soon as they could determine just what brands were the hot
ones. Yea, sure! I not only felt this was a betrayal to myself, but the
other sales consultants also sticking it out as well, in addition to all our
clients - past, resent and future. For this I do apologize, but believe me,
I am surprised as you are.
Needless to say, even though some of this is my own personal opinions, we
all learn from our mistakes, and I certainly did not want to make the same
one twice. Therefore, I was very careful in choosing just the 'right'
dealership as a replacement, now better at knowing just what to look for and
ask, especially in this current economic situation. And that is why I have
now chosen Modular Lifestyles.
The bottom line is, Modular Lifestyles is not just another street or office
dealership, basically on the outside looking in. Again, in my personal
opinion, in today's environment, this does not work anymore. After all, a
big vacant lot should be proof enough. Modular Lifestyles is a division of
Newport Pacific Capital, who actually owns, managers and operates many
mobile home parks themselves. Therefore, they are already on the inside, and
after all, isn't this really what it is all about anyway? And likewise, I do
have to pat myself on the back somewhat, for I saw, even before the closure
of Mesa Homes, that some major changes were needed, and I took action on
behalf of all my future clients and switched to Modular Homes long before
Mesa Homes folded.
Therefore, from now on, I will be talking from a different perspective. How
does this really affect you? just see for yourself at
www.mfghomespecialist.net for what's new and happening in this industry.
John Sisker
Senior Sales Consultant
(Manufactured Home Specialist)
(714) 815-7625
jsi...@sprynet.com
"Green" Homes
Energy Star
Affordability
Park Models/Resales
New Manufactured Homes
Major Brand Manufacturers
Price vs. Quality
Affiliations
Land/Home Deals
Industry Leader
Newport Pacific Capital
Cirus Development
Experience/Education
Manufactured Home Specialist
Manufactured Home Owners Network
Related Endeavors
(800) 724-6644 & (ID: 714.536.3850)
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(Huntington Beach, California)
Mobile Home Advisory Board Meeting postponed to October 26, 2009
Dear Residents and Interested Parties,
After review of the minutes of April 27th and there are no urgent matters to
discuss, the July 27th meeting is being postponed to the next scheduled
meeting date of October 26th at 6:30 pm.
Thank you and I hope you are having a terrific summer!
Terri King
Assistant Project Manager
City of Huntington Beach
(714) 960-8831 Office
(714) 375-5087 Fax
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(this only puts needed information further off)
Terri,
It was discussed at our last meeting that at the next meeting the City would
be explaining why manufactured homes are not legally considered affordable
housing, even though they are indeed affordable as compared to other forms
of housing. In addition, an update on the the widening of Atlanta Avenue
affecting Pacific Mobile Home Park would have been quite appropriate as
well. I am disappointed to learn that these two items are now being
postponed to a later time. I would at least hope that at least at our
October 26th meeting, both of these issues would be on the agenda.
John Sisker
jsi...@sprynet.com
(714) 536-3850
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(we haven't forgotten)
John,
Yes, they will. We haven't forgotten. We are in the middle of a HUD audit
starting Monday so we thought these items might hold till October.
Terri
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(public works as contact)
Mary Jo
As you know, in July a notice was sent out announcing that the Mobile Home
Advisory Board meeting for July was canceled until October 26, 2009 at 6:30
pm. Following that announcement, a few persons expressed that they had
hoped to get an update or ask questions regarding the Atlanta Street
Widening Project currently taking place next to and within the Pacific
Mobile Home Park at 80 Huntington Street. The Public Works Department is
the best source of first-hand information on public works projects, so if
you or someone you know has questions or concerns about the Atlanta Street
Widening project we urge you to contact Joseph Dale, in the Public Works
Department, at (714) 536-5915. He will be glad to answer your questions and
update you as to the status of the project.
Terri King
Assistant Project Manager
City of Huntington Beach
(714) 960-8831 Office
(714) 375-5087 Fax
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(better in a public forum)
Terri,
Thanks for this information. As you know, I too was disappointed that our
meeting was cancelled, and rescheduled for October 26, 2009. As I pointed
out before, I wanted to make sure the widening of Atlanta Avenue was indeed
to be on the agenda, along with the City's interpretation of
manufactured/mobile homes as affordable housing. I know there was a lot of
disappointed residents in our park (Pacific) when our meeting was cancelled.
Information such as this is better presented at a public forum, as it was
before, and for all to hear. But at least this contact is better than
nothing, that is until our October 26th meeting, where I would hope a full
presentation will then be available.
Sincerely,
John Sisker
jsi...@sprynet.com
(714) 536-3850
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(the Atlanta Avenue widening, Huntington Beach, California)
Hi John,
Thanks for the message... I enjoy and appreciate your perspective... One of
the individuals I've been in contact with is the relocation manager for
CalTrans... According to him, we HAVE to be well taken care of on this
relocation... that it's against the law for them to do otherwise... I'll
definitely keep him involved with our plight... he was actually very
cooperative with me and our cause, and assured me we will be treated very
fairly. I completely agree with your stance that the city officials, and
the firm they have hired that does the relocation "negotiation" are
snakes... I've had multiple discussions with the person who will be
responsible for our "negotiation" and she is very shifty. From the several
discussions I've had, I could immediately tell she was talking to me very
elusively. According to the application the city filed for this funding,
their primary plan is to use the strip on Delaware to relocate the homes...
Obviously, there is only 1 home that can be moved, so it seems that new
homes are in order.. (or you would think...) The have budgeted $3M for the
right of way and relocation, so it appears the funding is in place to do
this.
Anyway... as usual... THANK YOU for your message... maybe we'll meet this
weekend...
Best regards,
Rod
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Pacific City - Makar Properties - Pacific Mobile Home Park)
Rod,
I admire your fortitude and determination in fighting City Hall.
Unfortunately, in this case, as I'm sure you are will aware, that is what
you are up against. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is your not
dealing with logic, being able to compare similar situations on a case by
case basic. The solution and/or decision is ultimately going to be
political. The City wants a Pacific City type development, far more than
they do an old trailer park. Your leverage right now should be with what
happened to Makar Properties, tying into their problems, more than saying
this street widening is just not needed. The City thinks it is, and even the
County's Master Plan of Arterial Highways thinks so too, and has for many
years now.
This is not meant to discourage you, but if the City gets the ideas this is
no more than a NIMBY issue (not in my backyard), you are fighting an uphill
battle. You said it yourself, the City has to use this already approved
funding, or they will loose it. That is something that is not going to
happen. As I said, it's all political. That's what needs to be unraveled.
Good luck,
John Sisker
Space 266
jsi...@sprynet.com
(714) 536-3850
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(we now have their number, so all is fair in love and politics)
Hi John,
Thanks for the message... good point on Makar -- I agree. You are absolutely
correct -- this whole thing is insanely political.. drives me nuts... It's
hard to believe our system of government is the best in the world... it's so
jacked up in so many ways... and I'm learning a lot about the city of HB
through this experience. I know you referenced the Makar BK... can you
please provide me just a short few sentences / short paragraph with whatever
details you know that will support our case ?, ----I want to include this in
my initial correspondence I have to provide the city and caltrans as another
point to include in this first / formal documented dispute.
I am realistic about this... however I'm going to give the city and Cal
trans as much shit as I can, and do everything I can to put political
pressure on them... I've been in touch with Tom Harmon's office, and I do
have their attention, and it seems they are willing to listen to me on the
issue, and possibly get involved. I'll keep you posted on this as well...
But, I do realize, this is likely going to happen, SO... as you probably
know, since I'm always planning and thinking ahead... I want to ask you...
how much will it cost to purchase and set up a new 2 bdr, 2ba home...? (and
make it a nice one please..) I'm curious about this, if this does happen,
you know I'll do everything I can to put business your way... Hey.. .just
thinking out loud here..; you actually don't want this to happen so you can
sell 8 new homes... do you ??? (just kidding...)
AND... would you happen to know, who actually owns the land strip on
Delaware, bordering our park ?---I can't seem to find a parcel number on
that land...
OK... that's it for now... I'll stop typing... thanks for your help and
involvement...
Best regards,
Rod
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(I'm now on the inside, not the outside just looking in)
Rod,
Ironically, when I was with Mesa Homes, we just happened to have a new
2-bedroom, 2-bath Hallmark Manufactured Home on Space 424. It had never been
lived in before, nor registered, and was therefore considered a new home,
complete with the full warranties. Incidentally, Hallmark is considered one
of the top quality built homes in the industry. Likewise, this home was
listed for $134,900, which is actually cheaper than many of the other, and
older, homes people are trying to sell for in the park. If I put a new home
in the park today, that price would be higher, for the cost of everything
has gone up. The reason why there was such a good price on this particular
home is, it was built awhile back and used as a model home. Because it was
yesterdays prices, there was a little flexibility in this regard, unlike
ordering a new one today. In addition, and as a perspective, I also carry
Golden West homes as well, which are in a lower price bracket, because it is
more of a middle of the road, mass market built home.
Yet, today, many things have changed for the better. With my new affiliation
with Modular Lifestyles, I can now get a new, high quality, manufactured
home, for even less than Mesa Homes was selling theirs for. It's all
perspective, who has the connections, the mark-up select dealers try to get,
and what have you. One thing to keep in mind, and a major reason why I went
with Modular Lifestyles, they are not simply another dealer on the outside
looking in, but actually own and manage mobile home parks themselves, so now
we have the added benefit of being on the inside as well.
In reference to that strip along the south end of Delaware, as far as I know
that is owned by the City. It was originally designated as part and for the
widening and extension of Delaware Street, when it was to meet up with
Pacific View at Huntington Street. This is the section were are looking at
with the City as a possible land swap for the private land they are to take
for the widening of Atlanta Avenue.
As for me ultimately replacing the 8 homes along Atlanta Avenue, that is
pretty unlikely. Unless someone buys a used home that I may have listed
somewhere, the City is not going to give the residents a new home price for
an older displaced home. However, residents can opt to pay the difference
for a new home if they wish. Most likely, any displace residents will
no-doubt end up with another older home, either within the park, or
elsewhere.
Be a little weary of Tom Harmon. He will tell you what you want to hear, but
has done nothing to help our cause. In fact, the residents in Cabrillo
Mobile Home Park are trying to get him to take a stand, when they discovered
the present owner of that property obtained it through fraudulent means. So
far, he as been no help whatsoever. You would be better off contacting
Senator Correa, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee of Manufactured
Homes & Parks.
As I mentioned before, all this has a lot more to do with politics than
anything of logic, good planning, or even a real need. Huntington Beach has
a reputation of being a very political City, just look at some of our past
Mayors, Councilmember's and other City officials. One was found guilty of 15
felony charges, and one of our x-Mayors should be getting out of federal
prison soon after serving her 3+ years. Need I say more?
John Sisker
Space 266
jsi...@sprynet.com
(714) 536-3850
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(the city, the developer, the funding, and us)
Thanks John,
I appreciate the info... I do realize it's a bleak outlook, but I am going
down fighting as hard as I can...
I've located the individuals at Cal Trans who are responsible for approving
the funding for this next "right of way" phase. I'm asking them for a
meeting so I can brief them as to why this is not necessary, and why it's a
poor use of scarce public funds... They require some process, the first
thing being a formal letter to the city protesting the project. I wanted the
info on the park, since I'm going to make a reference to the Park's age, and
wanted to have my facts as straight as possible...
I'll keep you posted on my quest... and one more point I'm going to stick
with through all this... even if a Pacific City type development is put
in... the bottleneck that exists is not a "must do" fix... Just take a very
quick look at the rest of downtown, or the city at large, or any costal city
from Seal Beach to Dana Point... The density and street configs all over HB
are not consistent with the premise that a bottleneck exists at the
intersection, and a whopping 740 ft of one lane is going to fix some
overwhelming traffic snarl at this point... In my opinion, it's all
political rhetoric, and I will do my best to expose it as such... I'm going
to let the responsible individuals know that I am very capable of
understanding a bad traffic situation (if one exists...) and I also fully
agree that such bad traffic situations need to be addressed--- HOWEVER,
there are many, many other real issues and traffic priorities that this
funding could be used for. At this point, this one is artificial, and based
on speculation, and weak justification. Another case in point... The Strand.
I notice that even though this is as dense as anything downtown, shopping,
hotel, restaurants, etc... etc... they only put in a two way street to
access... AND they did not widen Walnut, or 6th... etc..etc...
Again... the ONLY reason they are moving ahead with this is because there is
funding available from the state to pay for most of it... AND the traffic
dept. will do anything necessary, and justify any project they can in order
to keep themselves employed...
OK... off my soapbox for now... As you can see, I'm very passionate and
determined about this... Thanks for reading through, and I truly do
appreciate your perspective and advice.
Hey--- let's try and meet each other... This December will be 5 years we've
been in the park... I'll see if we can track you down this weekend... We'll
be in and out all weekend..
Thanks for your help.... I'll talk with you soon--
Best regards,
Rod
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Pacific Trailer Park / Fox Hills Trailer Park)
Rod,
Even though I have lived here a long time, I am probably not the best one to
talk about the true history of this park. I don't think the park started as
a campground per se.
When I moved in with my parents in 1958, and later got my own place in 1970,
it was called Pacific Trailer Park. Actually, it's called on the books, Fox
Hills Trailer Park doing business as Pacific Trailer Park. The owners
originally had another trailer park in Los Angeles county, that the city
condemned for a freeway on/off ramp. That money was used to start Pacific.
Back then, everything was called trailer parks. However, I'm not sure it
would be classified as a campground. Yet, ever since I can remember, there
was a travel trailer/RV section (in the middle of the park) that could
possible be classified as that. The rest of the park grew and expanded in
sections over the years. Fifth Street, 6th streets, and all of the 700
numbers developed separate from one another over time, and each time the
codes had changes. That's why you'll find so many lot sized in this park.
As for Pacific City itself, as I mentioned before, if it wasn't for Pacific
City, the widening of Atlanta Avenue would not be needed right now.
Likewise, from my understanding, Makar Properties, the owner of The Regency
in Dana Point is in foreclosure, and the contractor for their Pacific City
development is suing them. That's why all work has stopped. However, I don't
think that will stop the City's plans to widen Atlanta Avenue anyway, thus
affecting us. Even if Makar Property sold that property to someone else, the
basic infrastructure is already in, and our bottleneck on Atlanta Avenue
would still present a problem for any type and/or new development, and even
any progress further downtown.
John Sisker
Space 266
jsi...@sprynet.com
(714) 536-3850
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(I don't think it was ever a campground)
Hi John,
I'm still on the prowl, trying to find a way to stop the widening of
Atlanta.
I've identified individuals at Cal Trans who are responsible for approving
the next round of funding... the approvals will be based on the successful
completion of the city of a NEPA environmental report for the project.
I have a question... can you give me a background of our park?--I know it
started as a campground, can you give me some sense of dates... when was it
first a campground, when did it turn into a mobile home park?
Thanks !
Rod
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(all's quiet on the Pacific City front)
The 31 acre site, just across the street from my home in Pacific Mobile Home
Park, now sits idle. In spite of the progress that is suppose to be
happening, not a thing is being done as we speak. The developer, Makar
Properties, has all the necessary approvals, permits and what have you, yet
something no-doubt happened to stop this project. Now, there is little point
in even asking the City and/or Developer as to what is happening, for so
far, one can't believe a thing that have been telling us anyway. We have
been fed so many lines, false stories and total lies, that depending on who
one talks to next, you can almost see their nose growing as they speak.
So, what is really happening, and where does the truth lie? The answer to
that is, we may never really know. However, in this day and age, and with
the current economic situation, it should not take a rocket scientist to
figure it out. From my understand, what I have been told, and putting the
rumors together... the developer just does not have the money to continue
the project. Is this a temporary situation? That I can't tell you, for I
just don't know.
Likewise, and from my sources, I understand that the developer is in a
possible foreclosure situation with their Dana Point Resort project, a far
bigger project than what they plan for Pacific City. In addition, someone
even told me that they were being sued by the contractor who was hired by
Makar Properties to do the actual construction of Pacific City. Is any of
this actually true? As far as I'm concerned, it is; that is, until someone
comes along willing to clarify the situation.
However, this would indeed explain at lot. Yet, how does this tie into our
mobile home park property right across the street? While we never had a
problem with this project being built in the first place, we did have one
when it looked like it could possibly be at our expense, and some others in
the surrounding neighborhoods as well. A good example is what we have just
been talking about, the widening of Atlanta Avenue into our park property,
thus taking 8 homes. I said this before, but it is apparently worth
repeating again, I feel the widening of Atlanta Avenue is only for the
benefit of this Pacific City project. Even though the City says this is not
the case, I have seen all the maps, reports and statistics, and believe me,
the politics and money behind Pacific City certainly dedicated otherwise.
Now, does this idle project mean that Pacific City is now dead and gone, and
thus Atlantic Avenue does not have to be widened? I would not hold your
breath on that one. As stated before, the City now has State money to widen
Atlanta Avenue, and even claims they will lose that money if this does not
take place. And we can all bet it is only a matter of time before Pacific
City in once again back in the development stage. How long this will be is
really anyone's guess. It could even be a different developer involved, a
different source of funding, and even a somewhat different project. But two
things are for sure; the project in not dead, just temporary in the state of
flux, and we will never get an honest answer about this from either the City
and/or Developer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Modular Lifestyles, Inc)
At this point, I feel an clarification is in order. None of this, this
particular message, or what has been said previously, is meant to setup or
imply a "we vs. them" attitude. Actually, far from it. The bottom line is,
we are manufactured/mobile home owners. We love our homes, enjoy our chosen
lifestyle, and just want to get along. However, we certainly understanding,
that for the most part, it is not us who owns the parks. In addition, it is
also not us who manages the parks as well. And that's where the problem
sometimes lies. Different entities, different goals and different
objectives, sometimes puts us at odds with one another. If park owners,
managers and the residents always respected and understood one another, life
would be a bowl of cherries. Yet, as we all know, that is not always the
case.
However, I feel my new role with Modular Lifestyles can help me bridge any
gaps. I am a manufactured/mobile home owner myself, am a long-time resident
of a park in Huntington Beach and have a California state license that
allows me to list and/or sell any new and/or used manufactured/mobile homes.
Real estate agents are quite limited in this respect. On the other hand,
instead of just being on the outside looking in as with some other
dealers/agencies, as I said before, being affiliated with Modular Lifestyles
also allow me a greatly expanded insight and in-depth perspective. A
division of Newport Pacific Capital, who owns and managers many mobile home
parks, Modular Lifestyles is that missing link that now allows me to help
close the gap that always seemed to be missing before, and continues to be
so with many other dealers.
Therefore, if you want a manufactured home to put on private land, I can
help. If you want a manufactured home for a mobile home park of your choice,
I can help. If you are looking for a used manufactured/mobile home already
setup in a mobile home park, I can help. If you're looking for just the
'right' senior or all-age park, I can help. If you are looking for just a
space to move your home to, I can help. If your want to make sure that all
the "t's" have been crossed, and all the "i's" dotted from a legal
standpoint, I can help. If your want the best quality home for the money, I
can help. The bottom line is, this is a demanding business, with many
variables. It is not solved by inexperienced armatures.
Therefore, the first step is actually quite simple, not matter what your
ultimate goal is... just give a call so we can discuss the matter.
John Sisker
Senior Sales Consultant
Manufactured Home Specialist
jsi...@sprynet.com
www.mfghomespecialist.net
(714) 815-7625 - cell
(714) 536-3850 - home
(800) 437-6178 - office
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(more on Pacific City)
From the moment this debate began, concerned residents have asked the city
to address the many questions associated with this proposed development
project. At the top of this list was the question of financing and the link
to the Pacific City development. Now the city must answer the question of
financing per a judge's order.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/senior-center-park-2524200-fund-lawsuit
Mindy White
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(judge's order)
HUNTINGTON BEACH - City officials have a little more than a week to explain
to an Orange County Superior Court judge how a 32-acre development on
Pacific Coast Highway will pay for a $22 million senior center in Central
Park.
After the city files their explanation, the Parks Legal Defense Fund, which
is suing the city, will have ten days to respond.
Judge David C. Velasquez ruling could decide the fate of the
45,000-square-foot center, which activists say will destroy open space in
the park.
"It has always been our contention that they know it isn't right but they
are sneaking around the law," Larry Geisse with the Parks Legal Defense Fund
said about the center.
The city is charged with explaining a complicated financing deal that allows
developer Makar Properties to build the senior center instead of paying a
state-mandated park in-lieu fee to the city for building its Pacific City
residential and commercial development without setting aside park space.
"It will ultimately benefit everybody in the project because everybody
becomes a senior," said former mayor Ralph Bauer, a leading proponent of the
center.
The Parks Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit formed in 2007 to fight the senior
center, argues in the lawsuit that the senior center will not directly
benefit the residents of Pacific City in the same way a park near the
complex would, therefore falling short of its legal obligations.
The senior center is expected to replace a downtown center that supporters
say is too small and outdated to serve a new generation of residents 60
years and older.
The suit also says the environmental reports for the center failed to
consider the availability of public school sites as alternatives to the
Central Park location. Also, the city does not properly replace hunting
grounds for birds that will be destroyed by the center, the suit contends.
A trail for the lawsuit was held Thursday and the judge could make a ruling
on the suit in mid-September, officials said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(meeting has already taken place)
Hi John,
I am attaching a few files for your review. Are mobile home homeowners who
are facing eviction (or have been evicted) eligible for the HB programs that
I am attaching? These attached files link to the HB City website.
The one for the prevention of homelessness seems to fit. Funds for this are
being voted on Monday night at the City Council meeting, Item 17. 17. (City
Council) Approve recommendation to allocate Homelessness Prevention and
Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) subgrantee funds in the amount of $566,611,
and authorize the City Administrator to execute subgrantee and HUD grantee
agreements approved by the City Attorney.
Something to think about,
Mary Jo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(needs more information)
Hi, all,
I know that for years Bob Lupo was the person to contact regarding
Huntington Shorecliffs. However, Bob has moved to Idaho, and is not coming
back. We here at Huntington Shorecliffs are involved in the fight against
the subdivision and are trying to stay informed as to what is happening.
Steve, and all, it is extremely important that we know what is going on. If
there are groups that need to be joined, or sites that need to be visited,
please inform me, and I will do so. Bob has not shared that information,
and we cannot keep getting information that you all pass around with us that
live in the HS Park excluded. Please add the current information with the
current people to your list of contacts. I have been in touch with almost
all of you, and all the information goes to Bob in Idaho. This is very
disconcerting. I have had meetings regarding the subdivision since last
September, and we who live in the Park are still 3rd party info. Steve,
please update your info for Huntington Shorecliffs.
Thank you,
Sharon, President GSMOL 571, and Member of HOA Board
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(there are two sides to every story, so let's hear the park owners)
Hi All,
The attached email is an important message from Steve Gullage, President of
the Huntington Beach Mobilehome Owners Association, regarding the Huntington
Shorecliffs Mobile Home Park Owner trying to circumvent the HB Mobilehome
Conversion Ordinance.
The Subcommittee meeting scheduled for August 18th, according to Mark
Bixby's latest email, has been cancelled. But the mobilehome homeowners in
HB need to be aware that this proposal by the Park Owners is only the
beginning. The mobilehome homeowners need to unite again behind Steve
Gullage and the Huntington Beach Mobilehome Owners Association and do as he
says. ..take it to the City Council level and expose this proposal for what
it is.
Believe me, the other Park Owners (probably with Vickie Tally behind them)
are just watching, and will pounce on this opportunity to do a condo
conversion of their Parks, thereby forcing the homeowners to purchase their
spaces (additional mortgages that many may not qualify for, or can afford in
addition to their existing mortgages), pay Park Usage fees (rent) with no
rent control limitations, and be further at risk of economical eviction.
Steve needs the support of all Huntington Beach Concerned Citizens, even if
you do not live in a mobile home park. Huntington Shorecliffs is a Senior
Park, but the following scenario is the same for all the HB mobile home
parks. When most of these homeowners retired and sold their big homes, they
purchased mobile homes here in HB at an affordable level according to their
income. They were able live close to their medical support groups and the
climate is most suitable for elderly retirement. Purchasing a mobile home
gave them their independent, detached-home living with their tiny yards.
Many of these people purchased their homes over 20 years ago, unaware that
the Park Owners or future greedy Park Owners would plan to economically
evict them through various schemes.
This is such a scheme. Steve Gullage, John Sisker and the GSMOL
organization have many factual accounts of Park Owners economically evicting
homeowners, raising their rents beyond the known incomes, taking their
homes, causing massive attorney fees and awards against the homeowners for
various reasons... many unsubstantiated.
Please support Steve and the rest of the HB mobile home homeowners.
Thank you,
Mary Jo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(additional information on this subject)
Are you aware of this?
Mary Jo
Hi hbtalk,
It looks like Huntington Shorecliffs Mobile Home Park is going to try to
convert from rented spaces to owned spaces -- see attached.
According to
http://www.surfcity-hb.org/files/users/planning/Log_August_2009.pdf, the
application was filed back in September 2008.
Mark
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(win all situation for the park owner)
Hi All,
This is a win all situation for the park owner. By condo-izing, even one
space, the entire park is then protected from any form of rent control, and
possibly ordinances passed that favor the residents, such as the H.B.
Conversion Ordinance. The residents should fight this tooth and nail at the
Council level.
Steve
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(is it really that simple?)
Steve,
Is it really that simply? All a park owner has to do is condo just one
space, and all our protections ordinances will be thrown out the window?
There must be some good in here somewhere, especially since the residents
can't seem to get their act together the buy the park themselves. If the
park owner does proceed with selling the spaces back to the residents of
Huntington Shorecliffs, what can they do and/or say to the Council to make
this into a win/win situation, instead of simply trying to kill it
altogether? If that happens, we can almost bet this park owners will be
trying to follow the lead of the new park owner of Huntington Harbor
Estates, and get the rent raised to $2141 a month.
John Sisker
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(yes, it is that simple)
John,
Yes it is that simple. The residents must unite and refuse to purchase the
space. When a home becomes available for sale, every precaution must be
taken to assure the park owner, or one of his relatives etc. does not
become the owner. It is my opinion that changing a park to a condo is a
form of conversion from the normal mobilehome park in which the spaces are
rented, and is a violation of the Huntington Beach Conversion Ordinance.
One member of the Planning Commission stated that he believed "condo-izing"
would not violate the ordinance
because the residents would still be living in a mobilehome park. I believe
he is wrong and a thorough reading of the ordinance will support my stand.
Changing the mode of residence is a form of conversion from the norm, and
will violate the terms of the ordinance.
Steve
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(keeping informed)
John,
I have added the requested email addresses to the Subdivision Committee
distribution list for Huntington Shorecliffs Mobile Home Park.
Thank you.
Linda Wine
Administrative Assistant
Planning Department
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(could this actually be a good thing?)
I know the cost to the new Huntington Shorecliffs owner was approximately
$1.3 mil per acre. Surely these homeowners could afford that. We at
Cabrillo could, if we could get the owner to sell.
I guess since they had never managed the park themselves, they have no
feeling as to the costs to operate, upgrade and maintain a park. Maybe they
are scared, or just not knowledgeable. Their individual costs would run
(including management, infrastructure funds, contingencies, attorneys, loans
and maintenance) somewhere around $650 to $800 per month.
Because of their ocean-close location, two club houses and pools, and the
up-scale condition, the value of the Huntington Shorecliffs homes would
rise, not fall if they owned the land. It's the rising space rents and
uncertain future that lowers re-sale values. Look at the Seal Beach Trailer
Park...the values are between $300 thousand and $500 thousand, and may rise
higher than that, all because they bought their park.
Huntington Shorecliffs is a much nicer park than Seal Beach, and the homes
could command much higher prices, if presented right. And they could have
two-story manufactured homes if they wished...giving them more land around
the home.
It seems there are always some "knot heads" in every park who keep stirring
the pot to discourage unity.
We, at least, have a signed agreement from the majority of our park
homeowners to purchase Cabrillo. The Mills attorney keeps responding back
that the park is not for sale, but I am going to keep putting in our request
to purchase the park biannually, and meanwhile, keep on bugging Senator
Harman to submit the repeal of the Mangers Law.
Harman is going to run for State Attorney General in 2010. So if he gets
that law repeal through the Legislature, it would give him more backing to
prosecute Mills. Of course, I suspect that he may be friends with long-time
acquaintance Robert London Moore and family (past President and still
part-owner of Mills Land and Water Company). I hope my suspicions are wrong
and that Harman will do the honest thing, but time will tell.
I think I told you that Dana Rohrabacher contacted me and wanted me to send
out the Mangers Law information again to Attorney General Jerry Brown. I
sent it out, but did not get any response other than my Receipt of Delivery
Confirmation. I am not particularly fond of Dana, but if he wants to help,
that is okay with me.
Its about time for me to send out another round of letters, etc. to the
guys... so I guess I will do that this week. I've added Assemblyman Pedro
Nava to my list. He is going to run against Harman in 2010 for the Attorney
General's slot. Got to cover all bases. At least Dana read my letter.
Thanks again for your comments,
Mary Jo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(getting the correct information)
Mary Jo,
These are indeed the type of questions brought up to the Huntington
Shorecliffs Homeowners Association, but they could not answer them. All I
know, whatever it is, they do not like it. To me, it is a little too soon to
really tell. Maybe at this upcoming meetings, some of this will be cleared
up.
Likewise, at the homeowners association meeting, it was brought up as to why
the park residents were just not trying to purchase the park themselves. The
answer was, and as true to form, they said they could not afford it. On the
other hand, they seem to be able to afford paying the every escalating space
rent, currently around $1475. But another reason that I personally feel is a
much bigger problem, is that there are too many opposing groups in that
park, all pitting against one another, and even suing the new park owner. No
one will ever buy a park under those conditions.
So, whether condo conversion or another form of ownership, this could work
if done right. Of course, the trick is to eventually have the residents have
total control, with the added value to their property being their total
right. I think what some residents are fighting now is, they feel that if
the value of the land under their home is so high, then the money they want
for their existing home on the market, would be greatly diminished. However,
that remains to be seem.
Be talking to you later.
John Sisker
jsi...@sprynet.com
www.mfghomeowners.net
(714) 536-3850
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(many unanswered questions)
Hi John,
Is this a form of "condo conversion" where you own the lot, but still pay
association dues? Why wouldn't the park owner sell the park to the
homeowners if the park owner would no longer own the lots?
Is it still a profitable venture for the park owner?
In the future, could such a park still be sold by the park owner and the
usage changed? Yes, the homeowners would get their money back for their
purchases, but they would still not have any say or control of whether or
not the park would stay forever or not.
Condominium projects are similar... you own your portion of the building and
sometimes the lot, but if the owner wants to convert the who project to
another use (hotel for example), he can still sell it and you get paid for
your space (lot) but have no say in the proceedings. You must leave.
Mary Jo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(lack of knowing what's really going on)
Hi Mary Jo:
I am indeed aware of this. Depending on who you talk to, this could be a
good or bad thing. I did attend one meeting that the residents had in this
reference, and besides a lot of wrong information, they want to fight this
tooth and nail. Yet, that was actually based on a lack of knowing what
really going on, and misinformation from the real estate industry instead of
the reality of how this really works from the manufactured/mobile home
industry through the Department of Housing & Community Development.
John Sisker
jsi...@sprynet.com
www.mfghomeowners.net
(714) 536-3850
======================================================================================================================
Sincerely,
John Sisker
Founding Director
Manufactured Home Owners Network
www.mfghomeowners.net
jsi...@sprynet.com
(800) 724-6644 & (Phone ID: 714.536.3850)
Fax: (801) 365-8205
(714) 536-3850
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