Residents to Own Country Estates Park

After 2 1/2 years of struggle, residents of Country Estates Mobilehome Park can look forward to a day when their homes will be their own.

The Ventura City Council on Monday night approved the final step of a plan that will allow residents of the east Ventura park to purchase their homes and the land beneath them from the owner.

The council directed City Atty. Bob Boehm to draft a letter to the owner expressing the city’s intent to use the power of eminent domain to seize the mobile-home park to provide low- and moderate-income housing.

The city this spring had reserved $590,000 in federal housing funds to support down-payment assistance for low-income park residents to help them purchase membership shares in the park.

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. will work with residents through their Homebuyers Assistance Program, which was also approved Monday night in a separate vote.

Three dozen senior citizens crowded into the front rows of council chambers to urge the council to draft the letter to acquire the Country Estates property. They said they want to buy the park so they can be free of rent raises and rest secure knowing that they own their own homes.

“We hope and pray and wish that you will draft the letter . . . so that we will have the opportunity to buy the park,” resident Russ Murawski told the council. “Then it will always be a senior park. We are hoping this can go forward.”

The group of seniors erupted into applause after the council vote, then rushed joyfully out into the hall to celebrate.

Jewel Pedi threw a kiss to the mayor as she went out the door.

“I am so excited,” she said over the hubbub. “We are all excited. Praise the Lord! This is wonderful.”