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Neighbors should stick together

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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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