Goleta Protects University Mobile Home Park's Senior-Only Status with Urgency Ordinance

Goleta's City Council voted 4-1 to adopt an urgency ordinance that immediately prevents University Mobile Home Park from converting to all-ages and adds a citywide senior mobile home park overlay; the ordinance will expire in 45 days unless extended.

The Goleta City Council approved an urgency ordinance in a 4-1 vote to keep University Mobile Home Park restricted to residents age 55 and older. The ordinance took effect immediately and adds a citywide senior mobile home park overlay intended to keep mobile home parks predominantly available to seniors. City staff said the park at 520 Pine Ave. is the only senior-restricted park in Goleta. The measure will lapse after 45 days unless the council votes to extend it. Key facts: - The ordinance was approved 4-1 and went into effect immediately. - It prohibits converting University Mobile Home Park to an all-ages community and creates a citywide senior mobile home park overlay. - The park at 520 Pine Ave. is the only park in Goleta that restricts residency to people 55 or older and is one of five parks in the city, according to city staff. - The park was sold to management company Harmony Communities Inc. in October, and residents received notice that management planned to remove the senior-only restriction. - City Attorney Isaac Rosen said Harmony Communities has verbally threatened legal action; council documents and public comment include concerns from both residents and the management company's representative. Summary: The ordinance is presented by city staff as an immediate measure to preserve a source of unsubsidized affordable housing for older residents and to protect public health, safety and welfare. The ordinance will expire after 45 days unless the City Council extends it. The article reports that Harmony Communities has warned it may pursue litigation; as of Wednesday no lawsuit had been filed in the local court records. A separate, related county-level case involving the same management company has a trial date scheduled for July 20.