Published
2 years agoon
A Fresno County Superior Court judge granted a request to delay any decision about a troubled mobile home park until May 10.
Although the city of Fresno filed a request for a delay on Thursday, Judge Kristi Culver Kapetan granted a request made earlier by an attorney representing tenants at the Trails End mobile home park near Blackstone and Sierra avenues.
“The Receiver expressed a willingness to consider and evaluate any alternative, feasible options to the present proposal. Therefore, this court is willing to provide an additional 30 days for the Receiver to consider any other legitimate proposals for purchase,” Kapetan ruled.
Trails End is under receivership since a deadly fire last year brought attention to unsafe conditions and code violations there.
At a court hearing last week, Kapetan delayed a decision on the sale of Trails End, although the receiver recommended Stockton-based Harmony Communities. The company has been involved in trying to bring the park up to code on behalf of the receivership.
Residents have expressed concern about the company, based on fear of rent increases and more rules and regulations under Harmony Communities. The company operates mobile home parks throughout the western United States.
Related Story: Who is the Company Seeking to Buy Troubled Fresno Mobile Home Park?
Mariah Thompson, an attorney for some of the Trails End tenants wrote that the city’s request was “HUGE win for residents!” on Twitter.
‼️TRAILS END UPDATE ‼️
This morning, the City of Fresno filed a request that the Court delay decision re: MHP sale for 30 days.
The City says it wants the park rents to stay low regardless of the owner, and is looking at a number of tools to ensure it.
HUGE win for residents! pic.twitter.com/rIpNBJgO7Y
— Mariah Thompson (she/her) (@_mcthompson) April 7, 2022
Later on Thursday, Thompson said in a tweet that interested parties have 30 days to present alternative proposals to buy the park.
‼️TRAILS END WIN‼️
The Court just ordered parties have 30 days to submit alternative proposals for the purchase of the Park ?
TEU will work with the City, developers, funders, and non-profits to evaluate all potential alternatives to present.
Congrats to Trails End Residents!
— Mariah Thompson (she/her) (@_mcthompson) April 7, 2022
Following a closed session meeting of the Fresno City Council on Thursday, the city asked the court for a 30-day delay.
“The Fresno City Council believes a short delay to allow for additional investigation and discussions would be helpful,” City Attorney Douglas Sloan wrote.
Sloan said that the delay “will allow the City time to meet with the Proposed Buyer to discuss potential rent increases, evictions, park rules, and potential affordability covenants.”
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email