As lead spokesperson for the often seemingly at-risk low-income residents of the two mobile home parks on Grand View Boulevard, the venerable, always serene Frank Campagna said this morning he is “relieved and encouraged” that long-sought legal protection is on the way from City Hall.
Formerly on opposing sides, City Hall, at the residents’ request, is crafting an ordinance intended to tighten the present state law governing mobile home park closure and resident relocation requirements.
California law, which critics say is vague, allows a mobile home land owner to force out residents with 12 months’ notice in some cases, six in others.
Much too little time, residents complain. They are seeking 18 months, and Mr. Campagna sunnily says he is confident the Council will concur.
Judging by the Council’s reaction to the cloudily written document offered last night, heavy rhetorical construction — namely clarification — is needed before it can be effectively evaluated.
A Crisis That Never Goes Away
A virtually permanent emotional crisis plagues Grand View park residents, they say, because nearly all 41 homeowners are certain the park will be closed in their lifetime — critical since many are elderly. That seems to worry them most, although they fret, too, about whether they will receive fair market value for their mobile homes.
The burgeoning ordinance ostensibly is intended to be balanced, that is safeguarding park owner Roy Matsuoka as well as his tenants.
The ordinance is in such an embryonic stage — esoteric, dense, technical, well short of the state goal of precision — that City Councilman Andy Weissman posed at least 16 clarification questions for staffers. They were unable to answer the majority until a later date. And Mr. Weissman has been an attorney for more than 30 years.
No wonder that when a number of residents addressed the Council, shaky of voice and not sturdy of stride, they said they were confused about the ordinance contents.
The mobile home owners have feared for years that the aging, sometimes-ailing Mr. Matsuoka will close the two properties and strand them, leaving them homeless and defenseless.
The Culver City West land has been in the Matsuoka family for more than 70 years, and the relationship between him and residents has been the texture of air, largely invisible and difficult to see. His on-site supporters rarely are heard in public venues.
The recent history of the parks just north of Washington Boulevard has been volatile, although lately quiescent.
Six and seven years ago, the Redevelopment Agency was considering purchasing the grounds from Mr. Matsuoka and converting the property into a model redevelopment project. But a vote by the Agency failed to confirm those plans, and terrified residents heaved relief.
When younger and older neighbors move into the Grand View property, the mobile homes are intended to be their final abode on earth in most cases. They move in, they stay. Even those whose hair has not yet turned gray.
Building Confidence
The Council briefly reviewed interview plans for the four developers who are seeking to build Parcel B between The Culver Hotel, The Culver Studios and Trader Joe’s.
The Council will interview the four prospective developers, publicly in Council Chambers, two on Monday, Oct. 3 and two on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
