Stanton Forms Committee for Mobile Home Disputes

STANTON — Residents of the Katella Mobile Home Estates expressed relief after the City Council approved a committee to oversee disputes between tenants and the owner of the city’s largest mobile home park.

“I can’t believe they finally did this after two years,” said Ginger Jordan, a resident of Katella Mobile Home Estates.

Council members expressed similar sentiments, and despite objections from the park’s owner said they could no longer ignore complaints from Katella residents who make regular appearances at council meetings. Complaints from residents over the years have ranged from park safety to rent increases.

“We have had so many problems with Katella over the years,” Councilman Sal Sapien said. “This committee will not create them. I hope it will help resolve them.”

The seven-member committee will consist of one park owner, one park manager, two mobile home owners, two citizens and Stanton’s community services chairman. The council will appoint the two citizen representatives before the committee’s first meeting, which is scheduled Sept. 19.

The Katella Mobile Home Estates Review Committee will meet on the third Tuesday of each month for six months. The committee will report its findings to the council at the end of that period.

At that time, the council may choose to extend the committee. It may also decide to open the forum to residents of other mobile home parks in the city.

Marsha Carter, owner of Katella Mobile Home Estates, repeated her opposition to the formation of a council committee. Carter said she had succeeded in her goal to get 70% of the tenants to sign long-term leases guaranteeing lower rent increase rates, a move she hoped would put the issue of a committee to rest.