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.
Later on Thursday, Thompson said in a tweet that interested parties have 30 days to present alternative proposals to buy the park.
City Also Made Request
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.”
Read Court Ruling and City of Fresno Filing
