Wednesday,  December 11 , 2024

Linkedin Pinterest
News / Business / Clark County Business

Mobile home park residents outside Vancouver city limits worried

Vancouver weighs zoning change to preserve mobile home parks

By Alexis Weisend, Columbian staff reporter
Published: November 25, 2024, 11:00am
3 Photos
Residents of mobile home parks across Clark County meet with Vancouver’s land use planner Thursday at the Firstenburg Community Center to hear more about an overlay zone that would protect Vancouver parks.
Residents of mobile home parks across Clark County meet with Vancouver’s land use planner Thursday at the Firstenburg Community Center to hear more about an overlay zone that would protect Vancouver parks. (Alexis Weisend/The Columbian) Photo Gallery

As the city of Vancouver weighs a zoning change that would preserve mobile home parks, residents of parks just outside city limits under Clark County’s jurisdiction say they feel left behind. They plan on making a plea to the Clark County Council, or even asking Vancouver to annex their park.

“I do think the county needs to be aware of the issue,” said Janet Easley, an 85-year-old resident of Cascade Park Estates. “It is a concern.”

Residents of mobile home parks across Clark County met with Vancouver’s lead land-use planner Thursday at Firstenburg Community Center to hear more about an overlay zone that would protect Vancouver parks.

As time has gone on, the land across Vancouver has become more valuable, said Kevin Callahan, who sits on the advisory council for the Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington.

“(Mobile home parks) are a precious resource. They’re not being built anymore,” Callahan said. “And my view is we need to preserve them. Protect them.”

Owners of mobile homes in Vancouver’s 16 parks are not protected from the land beneath their homes being sold and used for another purpose, which would then require the homes to be moved or demolished.

Under Washington law, park owners who sell the land for development must provide at least $10,000 to $15,000 in moving assistance, depending on the home, or compensate homeowners facing demolition by paying 50 percent of assessed market value.

City staff are drafting an ordinance that would overlay a specific mobile home park zone on top of a park’s current zoning to preserve the parks. Bellingham, Seattle and Portland have versions of this overlay zone.

“It would make it less likely — not impossible, but less likely — for mobile home parks to be sold over time,” said Bryan Snodgrass, long range principal planner for the city.

City staff plan to meet with both residents and park owners, Snodgrass said.

Residents of Cascade Park Estates, 16500 S.E. First St., were disappointed to hear there is no plan for their park to be protected by an overlay zone.

Callahan said he’s talked to county staff about the idea, but the county has not moved forward with a similar plan to protect the mobile home parks. Clark County has about 20 such parks, even more parks than Vancouver, according to the mobile home listing site MH Village.

Residents of Cascade Park Estates said they plan to contact the Clark County Council for help.

The park is owned by Michael and Denise Werner, who have previously tried to convert a mobile home park in Ilwaco to short-term rentals. When issuing the notices, two of the Werners’ employees were visibly armed with firearms, at the direction of Michael Werner, according to a Washington Attorney General lawsuit filed against the Werners last year.

Cascade Park Estates residents fear the Werners could eventually sell their park for another use.

“They’re strictly investors,” 80-year-old resident Barbara Hilgert said.

The Werners did not provide a comment in time for the publication of this article.

Residents of Cascade Park Estates, who are all 55 and older, say not having an overlay zone makes them feel vulnerable. Many of their homes can’t be moved if the park is sold to developers, they said.

“One can’t assume they won’t sell if they have the chance to make millions,” Easley said. “That property where we’re at is probably quite expensive.”

The park was sold in 2015 for $11.5 million, according to county property records.

Snodgrass said the city’s effort to create the overlay zone may serve as an example to Clark County, but he encouraged residents to reach out to county staff if they’re concerned.

“It takes more than just an example,” he said. “It’ll take a nudge.”

Community Funded Journalism logo

This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.

Support local journalism

Your tax-deductible donation to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program will contribute to better local reporting on key issues, including homelessness, housing, transportation and the environment. Reporters will focus on narrative, investigative and data-driven storytelling.

Local journalism needs your help. It’s an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy democracy.

Community Funded Journalism logo
Loading...