CHENEY — The council voted unanimously to pass the second reading of Ordinance Y-41, Comprehensive Plan & Zoning Map Amendment, at their regular meeting on April 25.
During the public comment section of the city council meeting, Douglas Brunell, a resident of the Presnell Mobile Home Park said, “Todd Tarbert (owner) does not want what’s best for the city. Tarbert wants what’s best for Tarbert. He has lied to me and to the members of the city council. Is it legal for Tarbert to evict everyone and make them homeless? It seems to me that it is. Is it moral? Hell no.”
Mayor Grover said afterward that, though he understands the emotional nature of the situation, it is important to clarify that the ordinance before the council involves voting on an amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan to allow for rezoning.
“I have lived in Cheney for years, and I have not seen Todd Tarbert invest in the property as he says he has. It’s clear to me that he is an out-of-town slum lord who wants to profit of off Cheney’s most vulnerable residents,” Justin Bockstruck, a resident of Cheney, said.
“Following our last meeting, I put together a report, an assessment that determines as best we can just how many of these trailers are movable,” Todd Tarbert said.
Tarbert explained that there are 61 total spaces, 22 of which are controlled by the park. Seven of the spaces are occupied by recreational vehicles and there are 11 manufactured homes and may be movable, subject to availability.
“The 10 remaining units we’re not sure about as far as if it is viable to move them. Changes in the law have required the park owners must give a minimum of 24 months notice in the event of a closure.” Tarbert said.
“What I see here is that we will have at least 2 years before closure could happen, is that correct?” Councilman Paul Schmidt said.
“I would say that in the best possible case, it would be a year before we even decide if closure is viable,” Tarbert said.
“But for the current situation, this would be a run of the mill rezoning request of the type we get around here all the time. What this has done is bring forth the glaring issue that underlies this situation,” Schmidt said.
Councilman Schmidt said that the council should have a very good reason for refusing this ordinance, if it does so, especially if it meets all the requirements.
“I sympathize with the residents of this community, but there is little the city council can do to reconcile all of the differences in this case,” Schmidt said.
The site which is being examined for re-zoning includes Presnell Mobile Home Park and is located at 2225 First Street. The ordinance would modify the city’s current comprehensive plan and convert the parcel to mixed-use and residential. It is currently zoned as commercial use.
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
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