STANTON : Committee to Mediate Park Rent Dispute

After more than two years of lobbying, residents of Katella Mobile Home Estates have persuaded the City Council to form a committee to look into a long-running rent dispute between tenants and owners of the city’s largest mobile-home park.

“They are finally listening to us,” said Ginger Jordan, a Katella resident.

Councilman Sal Sapien said he supported appointment of a committee because the dispute has been so lengthy and the two sides have not been able to settle their differences.

“This has just gone on for too long,” he said. “I think it is time we did something.”

Katella residents recently went before the council to protest a decision by park owner Marsha Carter to raise rents in the park by 4%. Carter said she would lock that rate of increases for all park residents if 70% of them would sign a long-term lease.

Some residents have refused to sign, saying the terms of the lease are too restrictive. The council will meet July 12 to decide on the composition of the mediating panel.