Little Woods owners will appeal, vow to close park unless rent hike goes through

Owners of a Petaluma mobile home park double down after arbitrator rejects substantial ground rent increases.

photo credit: Noah Abrams/KRCB
Inside Little Woods Mobile Home Park, Petaluma CA.

Last week we reported on a ruling against the owners of Little Woods Mobile Home Park in Petaluma. The arbitrator in the case rejected a jump in the cost of renting space to park a mobile home from $495 to more than $2000 a month.

On Tuesday, KRCB News heard back from Nick Ubaldi, of Stockton's Harmony Communities, which is associated with the mobile home park.

Ubaldi and park owners declined an interview, but agreed to answer questions in writing.

Asked for a reaction to the ruling, Ubaldi wrote that he is disappointed, adding, "We are hardly surprised, Petaluma has not been a hospitable environment for business owners, the recent change to the rent stabilization ordinance will ultimately drive us out of business," Ubaldi wrote in an email.

Ubaldi, in an electronic message said the changes capped all future rent increases below CPI, that's the Consumer Price Index. He also said park owners will be filing a writ and intend to challenge the decision.

Ubaldi wrote that park management is, "still planning to proceed with closure."

In legal documents, Little Woods owners argue Petaluma's rent control rules force them to operate at a loss.

A letter sent to Petaluma's city manager by park owners Friday, and shared with KRCB News by Ubaldi, reiterates plans to begin the process of closing the mobile home park. Park owners are also challenging the city's required closure procedure, along with recently enacted zoning rules.

KRCB News asked Ubaldi to name a sales price for the park, in light of the owners statements they were both losing money on it and that complying with city's closure rules is costly and onerous.

Ubaldi responded in writing, "We will continue litigating against the city until we achieve a fair outcome or close the park." Ubaldi stated in his email that Petaluma can't force private parties to provide affordable housing.