As follow-up to a story we last posted May 17, 2011 whereby the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed a lower court’s ruling that rent control at Rancho Mobile Home Estates in Goleta, Calif. is constitutional, the owner of Rancho, Daniel Guggenheim, recently won a state case that permits him to sell the homesites in Rancho. SantaBarbaraIndependent informs MHProNews residents fear rent control protection will disappear. The City of Goleta was a reluctant winner in this case, having spent over $500,000 dealing with Guggenheim’s lawsuits over the years, but it favored this decision, which will essentially end its legal wrangling with the MHC owner. Goleta Mayor Roger Aceves says, “While we are satisfied that the court recognized that the city’s decision is correct, the state legislature needs to fix this statute and make it clear that cities have the authority to protect their residents.” Because of Goleta’s proximity to the Pacific coast, the California Coastal commission must also approve the decision.
