Martin County Mobile Homes May Be Shielded From Condo Conversions, Developers

Martin County commissioners want to stop developers from turning mobile-home parks into condominiums, even if that means imposing a short-term moratorium, the Palm Beach Post reports.

“I think we all want to do it. We just want to make sure it’s legal,” Commission Chairman Michael DiTerlizzi said Tuesday, as commissioners unanimously voted to consider a proposal to block redevelopment of the mobile-home parks.

In the past year in Martin County, developers have bought several mobile-home parks and evicted residents in order to redevelop the parks, which often provide housing for lower-income and elderly residents.

“There is nothing worse than preying on the elderly and those that can’t defend themselves,” said Bob Grudi, one of about three dozen residents being evicted from a Bloomfield Meadows mobile home park.

Commissioner Lee Weberman, who proposed the ban, said it would probably last for 18-24 months while the commission created solutions to the county’s shortage of affordable and workforce housing.

“I think it’s one of the real steps we can take to show tangible action,” he said of the temporary condo conversion moratorium.

Commissioners also asked staffers to create a proposal for a permanent “no net loss” policy, meaning real estate developers who convert a mobile home park would have to replace the same number of mobile homes somewhere else.

Commissioners also unanimously voted to propose an emergency comprehensive plan amendment that would allow people who own their own mobile home and lot to replace it with a permanent home.

The state rejected a similar amendment last year, saying it would reduce affordable housing. State approval of the new proposal would be needed.

Residents, who would be hard pressed to afford a Florida mortgage on a similar property should they be evicted, asked commissioners Tuesday to allow the option, saying it would make it easier to get insurance.

Commissioners said allowing permanent homes on lots would not affect affordable housing, nor would it make it impossible for residents to qualify for Florida home loan financing.

“They don’t understand what we are trying to accomplish,” Commissioner Doug Smith said of the state officials who rejected the plan last year. “This has nothing to do with the other issue.”

Commissioners said that the option of a permanent home must be limited to individual residents who own their own lot and live in it.

“I don’t want to see people buying mobile-home parks and converting them,” said Commissioner Sarah Heard.

SOURCE: Palm Beach Post