CHICO — Residents of senior mobile home parks should be extra visible Tuesday evening in the City Council Chambers when councilors continue considering whether to implement a rate stabilization ordinance.
The dense agenda also features final approvals for the 2024-25 budget and revisions to housing codes, along with rezoning the Chico Nut property for commercial and residential multiuse; authorization for the city to apply for a pro-housing designation from the state; and discussion of Councilor Sean Morgan’s proposal to form a committee on development.
Other items include four property acquisitions for the Commerce Gap Closure Project in south Chico; an appeal of the sewer assessment for a Mangrove Avenue property; and formally placing four council district elections and a measure to revise the Measure H sales tax on the November ballot. Closed session consists of updates on labor negotiations and legal conferences on Warren v. Chico and two cases involving opioid manufacturers.
Mobile home rents came to the council’s attention last fall when the out-of-state owner of a local park, Pleasant Valley Mobile Estates, issued increases up to 30% for January. After hearing from Mayor Andrew Coolidge, the owner reduced the increases to 10%, matching bumps the previous two years. Nonetheless, residents lobbied for rent stabilization.
Following impassioned remarks from tenants and counterpoint from a park owners group’s representative, at the March 19 meeting, councilors voted unanimously to have the city attorney bring back options for an ordinance, though several expressed resistance to restricting rents.
Minus absent Councilor Deepika Tandon, the council approved a $176 million city budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. Tuesday, the councilors will ratify that vote — as they will for the housing code updates and the rezone, both on the consent agenda along with property purchases and the election resolution.
Related Articles
Very low income housing by Housing Authority up for consideration
Paradise extends police recruitment incentive plan
Chico council takes first vote on housing rule changes
Nord Avenue apartments get city approval
Parking rules OK’d on street at One-Mile
Morgan requested at the May 22 regular session that his colleagues consider a committee of councilors, staff and community members to discuss growth and future development in special planning areas such as Valley’s Edge. He also suggested inviting the Butte Local Agency Formation Commission to the table.
In a move for which Councilor Addison Winslow has advocated, the council will let the Community Development Department know whether to apply for recognition under the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Prohousing Designation Program to boost the city’s opportunities for funding.
The Chico City Council regularly meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 421 Main St.; closed session starts at 5 p.m. Meetings are free and open to the public.
+ There are no comments
Add yours