Neighbors should stick together
John Sisker
As the co-founder and a member of the Pacific City Action Coalition,
I have tried to make it clear a number of times that we are not
against the Pacific City project itself. Yet, as a large (and
growing) organized community group, our concerns are that the
contaminated soil on the site be properly evaluated, mediated and/or
totally removed. Likewise, we hope encroachments on any of the
surrounding neighborhoods by way of traffic, parking, street
improvements, etc., do not becomes a future necessity once the
Pacific City project becomes a reality.
Makar Properties (developer of Pacific City) has been going around
to specific and surrounding neighborhood groups, with their slick dog
and pony show, emphasizing their so-called community involvement and
willingness to work with the various leaders. However, it appears
that the developer is just pitting one group against the other, using
the old divide-and-conquer tactic. Remember though, there is indeed
strength in numbers. Once our community is divided by these
pie-in-the-sky promises made by the developer, we’ve weakened our
ability to get what we all need as an existing community. Let’s take
a classic example.
While I live in and represent the residents of Pacific Mobile Home
Park, I am also well aware of the fact that many times there is
little support for a mobile home park beyond our own walls. This is
especially true now that there are mega resorts popping up all around
us, and Makar is apparently using this opportunity to tell the
surrounding community that their property values will increase with
the mobile home park out of the picture. So much for honesty,
integrity, community involvement and their so-called effort to
preserve and protect all the surrounding communities. I guess that
means everyone but us.
Seemingly, no consideration is given to the fact that this
manufactured home community was actually here first and is currently
being upgraded with new homes, which, by the way, is one of the major
advantages of a such a community. Likewise, manufactured homes of
today have to at least meet, while many actually far exceed, the
federal standards for site-built housing. Yet, the term may still
persist, the use of the words “mobile home” is long gone and only
used by those wanting to justify their means. Yet, so-called mobile
home parks are always an easy prey, especially for a developer and/or
city that may not really care. The old adage that this land is just
too valuable for a mobile home park and/or we should consider
ourselves lucky we got to stay here this long, is just the thinking
of big money. Remember, that the phrase “highest and best use” is not
an actual land use or planning term, but simply public relations
weasel words by real estate interests in justifying their means.
Furthermore, what can and may happen to a mobile home park, could
just as easily happen to you, as well. Let’s continue with our
example. Seaside, a relative new residential development off of
Atlanta Avenue, once had Driftwood Mobile Home Park as their
back-door neighbors. You think the thought did not go through their
minds that anything would be better than a mobile home park over
there, thus increasing their property values. Well, at least with
Driftwood, they know what they had -- an existing and quiet community
with a small golf course. Now, with Driftwood gone, they are getting
a giant mass of high-density units, all built to a level well above
their existing homes. Not only will every home in this new community
be looking down on them, both literally and physically, but guess
where all the dirt, dust and mud of this development ends up? Right
in their own back yards. In addition, they are currently being
confronted with major raw sewage smells from the surrounding storms
drains on Pacific View Drive, which the developer (Robert Mayers
Corp.) mysteriously can’t seem to pin-point. This project is not
raising the property values of Seaside at all, in my personal
opinion, but would be if only they had Driftwood back. Therefore,
don’t be so quick to judge and be careful what you ask for -- you may
actually get it.
In addition, whatever happens to a mobile home park could just as
easily happen to some of these older areas and/or houses in the
various sections surrounding new developments. Designate just about
any area you want for so-called “redevelopment” and this could spell
the kiss of death for you as well. Huntington Beach is notorious for
this type of so-called planning.
Yet, it is easy to let the boom willingly drop on another,
especially when you feel your land values may actually increase by
simply turning your back and let your fellow community members fend
for themselves. Just remember, when it comes your turn, which it
eventually will, there may be no one left to help you. The power and
control always goes to the newest developments. Oh sure, the
developer may come up with grandiose plans for replacing one
community with another, perhaps even with a scale model to justify
just how wonderful it will look, while supposedly helping to upgrade
the community. However, this is the very same developer who was
willing to build on contaminated soil and who originally applied to
the city for an exemption from proper clean up, until we intervened.
* JOHN SISKER is a Huntington Beach resident. To contribute to
“Sounding Off” e-mail us at [email protected] or fax us at (714)
965-7174.
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