WESTMINSTER : Trailer Park Closure Not in Near Future

Owners of the Mission Del Amo mobile home park, who just a year ago were planning to close it, are now trying to attract more park residents by offering leases of up to five years.

Hal Mintz, a consultant for the park owners, said that the long-term leases will give residents added protection should park owners decide in the future to convert the park to another use.

“This means that the park will likely stay open for at least five years,” said Mintz, “unless someone wants to buy it now.”

The possible conversion to commercial use of the 217-coach park in rapidly developing Little Saigon has sparked a clamor by the city’s estimated 5,000 mobile home park residents for more protection should other park owners decide to the convert.

The City Council is putting the final touches on an ordinance that would regulate mobile home park conversion and provide relocation assistance to displaced residents.

But city officials said that aside from Mission del Amo, none of the 17 other mobile home parks have notified the city of plans to convert to commercial use.

Mintz said that a partnership of Chinese and Vietnamese businessmen bought the Mission del Amo mobile home park for $12 million four years ago.

In June, 1992, the park owners notified the residents of plans to develop the park.

But the project ran into financial difficulties because of the slumping economy and declining property values, Mintz said.

“Right now, there is no buyer, no financing and the owners don’t have the money to convert” the park, he said. “It could occur in several years, but not in the foreseeable future.”

The residents, however, were not formally told that the park was staying open, said Mintz, who was hired in October to deal with the residents.

“That was a mistake,” said Mintz, adding that the park owners are losing at least $15,000 a month in rent because more than 40 residents have left since the announcement to close down the park.

“People have gotten tired of being left in limbo,” said Barbara Cornell, president of the executive board that represents the residents.

“These are elderly people who were in a lot of stress, not knowing what will happen.”

Cornell said the residents are meeting with Mintz today at the park’s clubhouse to discuss details of the lease offer and the owners’ plans for continued operation.

On Tuesday, the council will hold a study session at 3 p.m. to consider the final draft of the ordinance.

Michael Bouvier, the city’s building and planning manager, said the Planning Commission will review the ordinance and hold public hearings this month.

It is likely the ordinance will reach council in February, he said.