In a follow up to a story previously reported on MHProNews, ColumbiaMissourian reports that Columbia Regency mobile home park rezoning passed by a 5-2 vote of Columbia City Council. The Churchill Group expressed public interest last September in acquiring the property and redeveloping the location with 330 apartments for students totaling 936 bedrooms. Dozens spoke to the council. An overwhelming majority of them opposed the rezoning. Residents of the land lease community, Missouri University (MU) students and residents in Columbia spoke out in opposition to the proposed change.  Most cited concerns about affordable housing in the city. Some worried about the impact the apartments would have on traffic, storm-water runoff and sewer capacity. Churchill — doing business as Regency of Columbia — notified residents in late October it would close the community and require residents to move by Feb. 29, 2012. Aspen Heights followed with a meeting during which Charlie Vatterott, its vice president for development, told residents that if the rezoning were approved the company would give them until April 30 to leave and until May 31 if they have school-age children. The firm also offered financial assistance of $1,800 for single-wide mobile homeowners and $3,000 for double-wide mobile homeowners to help with the cost of relocating their trailers. It tacked on an extra $500 for those who signed forms saying they would accept the money.

(Photo Credit: ColumbiaMissourian)