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be the City’s goal, he could offer no guarantees as there are Federal laws that must be taken into account. Ms. Forbath reiterated that the park owner has demonstrated his cooperation with the City and residents. Gloria Robertson, a 20-year resident of the park, stated that she thinks the owner has proposed a fair solution in wanting to convert the park to provide an opportunity for residents to buy the land or continue renting. She added that the ten-year period benefits everybody and that she supported the proposal. Aimee Ann Vickers, a10-year resident, stated that the park is 37 years old with a lot of sewer, electrical, and other problems. She voiced concern that dues will be significant and would increase over time. Art Moniz stated that residents would buy air space below the unit and not the land and that those residents not of low-income status would not be able to get loans. He noted that many units are very old in the park and brand new manufactured units, which sell for $100,000 to $200,000, would be unaffordable for seniors. He voiced multiple hidden costs which would be passed onto residents as a result of incidents that have occurred, including sewer system backups, transformer circuit breakdowns, electrical utility problems, and park liner leakage problems. He then presented a disclosure regarding the park’s conditions as of January 20, 2009 wherein no defects had been marked, which was of great concern. Jack Ferris stated that he bought and replaces many mobile homes within the park over the last ten years and expressed his support for the proposal. He indicated that space rents have gone up, and the conversion would provide residents the opportunity to buy their space and control their destiny, which they cannot do today. He added that manufactured homes are of high quality but that the only way value is to be seen is to purchase the land underneath their units which will appreciate over time. He further discussed costs at varying loan amounts, which he felt was less expensive than space rents today, and stated that he supported the State’s loan program. Pam O’Connell stated that homeowner dues must be taken into account when considering rent and mortgage, and this is not affordable for many people. She added that she felt the State would not be in a position to provide loans due to their position and that this cannot be counted on in ten years. She stated that she believed the owner representatives used coercive tactics and that she did not trust the proposal. She indicated that she has not been not able to sell her mother’s unit and felt that moving the land into ownership was not a good thing for the park or the people living there. Janet Cristiano stated that her mother lives in the mobile home park. She indicated that she was excited about the opportunity to purchase the land as affordable PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 25, 2009 Page 19 of 29