Developer pauses 55+ manufactured-home-park plan after state rent-control bill; seeks city staff guidance

A landowner addressing the council said he is pausing work on a proposed 70–75‑pad 55-plus manufactured-home park adjacent to Safari Auto Wrecking, citing recently enacted state rent-control legislation that changed allowable rent increases for manufactured-home parks.

"The legislation, is house bill enhanced house bill 20 or 12 17, rent control," said speaker Bob Sternoff, who identified himself as the owner of approximately 10 acres next to Safari Auto Wrecking. Sternoff said the law limits the ability of landlords to raise rents and excludes a 12‑year rent‑stabilization period for manufactured-home parks that is available for some other housing types, a change he said makes the project economically infeasible and prompted him to place the project on hold. "I put the project on hold," he told council.

Why it matters: The project — if realized as a rental community or land-lease park for new manufactured homes — could add affordable senior housing inventory in Yelm. The speaker asked for suggestions and said he will meet with planning staff to explore alternatives.

Council response and next steps: The council did not take action on the project. Staff said they would follow up with the property owner to review zoning, permitting and potential pathways given the new state law. The speaker said he plans to meet planning staff to discuss options.

Ending: The public comment flagged how changes in state rental law can alter private development decisions; the city staff follow-up will determine whether the site can be advanced under alternative regulatory or ownership approaches.