Chapter 13.30
MOBILE HOME PARK CONVERSIONS
Sections:
13.30.030 Applications for mobile home park conversions.
13.30.040 Procedures for review.
13.30.010 Purpose.
The unrestricted conversion of mobile home parks to other uses diminishes the mobile home stock and spaces available. The protection of residents and potential purchasers of mobile homes warrants the implementation of certain regulatory safeguards. The County recognizes the need to ensure that the private sector exercises its responsibilities to provide varied housing choices and opportunities, and that the County participation in this responsibility is necessary. [Ord. 2844, 1980].
13.30.020 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following words are defined as follows:
(A) “Park” means a mobile home park which rents spaces for mobile home dwelling units.
(B) “Owner” means the owner, lessor, or designated agent of the park.
(C) “Tenant” means the owners of a mobile home dwelling unit who is renting space from the owner of a park. [Ord. 2844, 1980].
13.30.030 Applications for mobile home park conversions.
(A) The use of property as a mobile home park shall not be terminated for the purpose of conversion to another land use until application for a mobile home park conversion has been made to the Planning Director and approval has been received from the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors on appeal.
(B) No building permit shall be issued on property occupied by a mobile home park for uses other than those associated with the mobile home park use until approval for mobile home park conversion has been obtained pursuant to this chapter.
(C) Applications for a mobile home park conversion shall be made to the Planning Director with the filing fee prescribed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. The application shall contain the following information:
(1) Plans indicating the use for which an application for conversion is made.
(2) The timetable for conversion of the park.
(3) If the proposed conversion is to a use not consistent with the underlying zone district, the applicant shall file concurrently an application for rezoning.
(4) The total number of spaces within the park; the number of spaces occupied; the length of time each space has been occupied by the present tenant; and the monthly rent currently charged.
(D) An application for a mobile home park conversion shall be subject to environmental review in accordance with the County’s environmental impact review guidelines. [Ord. 2844, 1980].
13.30.040 Procedures for review.
(A) Within 90 days following the submittal of all required information in connection with an application for a mobile home park conversion and completion of the environmental review, the application shall be set for public hearing before the Planning Commission.
(B) The Planning Commission shall, within 30 days after the close of the public hearing, render a decision whether the conversion should be approved based upon the findings set forth in SCCC 13.30.050.
(C) Any applicant, or any other person aggrieved, or any other person whose interests are adversely affected by any act or determination of the Planning Commission, may appeal the act or determination to the Board of Supervisors in accordance with SCCC 18.10.300 et seq. For this purpose, the procedure therein set forth is incorporated herein and made a part of this chapter. [Amended during 9/07 supplement; Ord. 4496-C § 68, 1998; Ord. 2844, 1980].
13.30.050 Findings.
An application for a mobile home park conversion may be approved if the following findings are made:
(A) There exists sufficient mobile home space availability within the County of Santa Cruz to accommodate the mobile homes to be displaced by reason of the conversion.
(B) The conversion will not result in the displacement of low income individuals or households who cannot afford rents charged in other parks.
(C) That the age, type, and style of mobile homes within the park proposed for conversion can be accepted into other parks within the County of Santa Cruz.
(D) If the conversion is to another residential use, that the tenants of the mobile home park will have first opportunity to occupy the units and the construction schedule will not result in long-term displacements.
(E) The proposed conversion is consistent with the County General Plan.
(F) The proposed conversion is pursuant to the public health, safety and welfare.
(G) The conversion will not result in a shortage of housing opportunities and choices within the County of Santa Cruz. [Ord. 2844, 1980].
13.30.060 Conditions.
In the approval of a mobile home park conversion, the County may attach conditions deemed reasonable in order to mitigate the impacts associated with the conversion. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) Full or partial payment for relocation of mobile homes to another park.
(B) If the land occupied by the park is to be sold, the tenants be given the first right of refusal accepting the offer of the seller for the purchase of the park including all improvements.
(C) The tenants be given the option of a long-term lease of the land and purchase of the improvements.
(D) An effective date of the approval of the conversion of not less than one year so as to provide sufficient time for the relocation of the mobile homes to other parks.
(E) If the mobile homes cannot be relocated to parks in the area, the applicant may be required to purchase said mobile homes at fair market value, determined by an independent appraiser with mobile home expertise. [Ord. 2844, 1980].