Council hears from public on relocating residents

CHENEY — Residents turned out again Tuesday night, March 14, to voice concerns over a possible relocation.

The comments came at a meeting where the state Department of Commerce also addressed council members on the subject.

City resident Corinna Donnerberg asked the council vote against re-zoning of 2225 First St., the location of Presnell Mobile Home Park.

“I am here to ask you to vote ‘no’ on this ordinance,” she said. “The choice is clear; voting ‘yes’ is voting for displacement of these residents.”

Donnerberg said several documents, including email correspondences between the Planning Department and the developer, demonstrating that rezoning would result negatively for the current residents of the park.

“I did a little research myself to see where the residents might go, and it didn’t seem like there are a lot of options,” resident Justin Bockstruck said. “I would like the council to vote no on this ordinance.”

Mayor Chris Grover assured those present the council will both thoughtfully and thoroughly consider the topic.

“It is not on our agenda this evening. There are no immediate decisions on the table to relocate anybody,” Grover said.

Following public comments, Public Works Director Todd Ableman described the purpose of the Department of Commerce presentation: “Our goal with this presentation is to educate the City Council on mobile home parks and some of the relevant information on RCW 59.20-21.”

Commerce’s Brigid Henderson and Brooke Broolong summarized state laws regulating the closing of communities such as Presnell, as well as state programs that provide resources to the residents should relocation begin.

These resources can include cash assistance and relocation coordination and planning.

“The landlord-tenant act requires the owner of a community to issue a 12-month notice of closure,” Henderson said.

Author Bio

Lucas Walsh, Former managing editor

Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.