HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-05-10 - AGENDA REPORTS - MH EARTHQUAKE RELATED ISSUESNEW BUSINESS
DATE: May 10, 1994
AGENDA REPORT
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Item to be presented by:
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Lynn M. Harris
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SUBJECT: MOBILEHOMES: EARTHQUAKE RELATED ISSUES
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
BACKGROUND
This item was continued from the April 19, 1994 meeting.
The January 17, 1994, Northridge Earthquake and following aftershocks caused extensive damage
to mobilehomes throughout the City. As a result of the quake, several issues regarding
mobilehomes require attention. These include:
1. Mobilehome parks are under the jurisdiction of the State of California. All inspections and
permitting are conducted by the California Department of Housing and Community
Development. The state collects all the permit fees associated with these activities and bears
the administrative costs. The City may wish to consider taking over jurisdiction of the parks,
as this may offer speedier service to the parks. The potential costs and benefits should be
analyzed prior to a decision. However, should the City decide to take jurisdiction of the parks,
the City would not be able to adopt ordinances that would pre-empt state legislation, such as
requiring earthquake bracing, which Is currently not required by the state.
2. The existing rent stabilization ordinance was approved in a public participation process that
included homeowners and park owners. Section 6.02.160 of the ordinance states that the
provisions of the ordinance will be suspended in a park if the vacancy rate exceeds five
percent. A letter from a mobilehome resident indicates concern that this five percent figure may
have already been reached in Mulberry Mobilehome Park. Staff believes that this possibility
may exist In other parks. The ordinance was adopted at a time of extremely low vacancy rates,
and there was a concern that the limited space openings could cause space rents to rise faster
than Inflation. The homeowner Is concerned that the current Increase In vacancies results from
the earthquake, and that homeowners should be protected from the suspension of the rent
stabilization ordinance.
The decision to pursue either of the issues identified would involve substantial policy shifts, which
would involve the adoption of ordinances and negotiations with the state. Furthermore, staff has
serious concerns in this time of dwindling resources, about taking on the responsibilities and costs
of acquiring jurisdiction from the state. The earthquake taught us lessons about preparedness
which lead us to believe that it may be wise to be in a position of acquiring jurisdiction during an
emergency for a temporary period. Consultations with homeowners and park owners would be
necessary, as well as the expenditure of considerable staff resources. Prior to initiating a policy
review of any or all of these policy directions, staff requests Council direction.
Age:_"i Item:
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Continued To: _..;,_ 9 v
Staff recommends that the Council:
1. Direct staff to investigate the pros and cons of preparing ourselves to acquire jurisdiction over
mobilehome parks during an emergency.
2. Discuss the vacancy rate provision of the rent stabilization ordinance and determine whether
staff should draft a revision, pursue an analysis of pros and cons, or leave the existing
provisions in place.
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