49 New Homes Would Replace the Last Trailer

The Planning Commission tonight will review a development company’s plan to build 49 single-family homes to replace the nearly 50-year-old Sunset Trailer Park.

The last resident in the 65-space park, which was home to only five families in the last six months, is expected to finish moving out today.

Built in 1953, the park was one of the county’s last true trailer parks, holding basic single-wide units. GTE Corp. bought the property in 1960 with plans to someday take over the park and expand the company’s nearby communications facilities.

In 1979, GTE tried to evict park residents. But after a community uproar, the communications giant changed tactics and let residents stay. Trailer spaces that became vacant were never filled. In the late ‘80s, the park became almost a ghost town by attrition with only about 20 spaces occupied.

Because of upgraded communication equipment, GTE dropped its plans, and the CenterStone Development Co. began the process of purchasing the property six months ago.

At the Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m., the developer will outline plans for the tract and present what may be the “last mobile-home conversion impact report” to the city, according to a company letter to the commission.

CenterStone partner Howell Woods said the five families in the park who were there when the company began negotiating with GTE were given above-average relocation money.

Alex Murashko can be reached at (714) 966-5974.