The homeowners objected in 1998 when the owner, Norton Karno, agreed to sell the 484 homesite community to another buyer, claiming they had first right of refusal. There was also a dispute over a 69 percent rent increase and a batch of evictions, according to naplesnews.
The homeowners’ attorney, A. J. Stanton, on May 5 argued for the $11.6 million price, the value assessed in 1997 when the owner first agreed to sell it as a bundle of 41 MHCs for $316 million. However, charges flew back and forth about rent increases and the homeowners’ ability to buy the community, disagreements between residents, among other issues, but all these arguments have been put to rest by the settlement. At one point there were seven lawsuits pending—some between residents and Karno, some between residents.
“It seems we’re getting closer to the day everyone’s hoped for,” said resident Brian Pignetti, 41, whose 76-year-old mother also lives there. “Maybe we can put this behind us and it will become a welcoming place again. This is a vindication of all of our efforts over the years.” ##
(Photo credit: naplesnews/David Albers-Naples Estates MHC)
