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South Everett resident urges zoning overlay to protect Fairway Estates after rent hike
Summary
A South Everett resident told the planning commission she and neighbors face possible displacement after a corporate owner nearly doubled monthly lot rents; she asked the city to create a mobile‑home park zoning overlay to preserve the community.
Jeanette Burton, a South Everett resident, urged the planning commission to adopt a zoning overlay to protect Fairway Estates, a 55+ manufactured‑home park she said houses 171 units and about 260 residents.
“I live in a 55 plus mobile home park… Fairway Estates. There are 171 units with 260 residents,” Jeanette Burton said during the public‑comment period. Burton described the park as a community that includes “30 veteran families” and said the property recently changed hands to a private equity investor. “Last year, the Carlyle Group ripped the band aid off. They took my rent from 850 dollars a month to $1,665 a month, which is a 96% increase,” she said.
Why it matters: Burton told commissioners that residents on fixed incomes fear displacement and homelessness if monthly lot rents continue to rise. She asked the city to create a mobile‑home overlay to preserve the park and protect veterans and elderly residents.
What Burton asked the commission to do
- Adopt a zoning overlay to protect Fairway Estates and similar manufactured‑home parks from redevelopment that would displace current residents. - Preserve the park as affordable housing for seniors and veterans; Burton said that many residents bought their manufactured homes and pay lot lease fees rather than traditional mortgages.
Staff response
Planning staff acknowledged Burton's remarks and encouraged her to submit a written statement to ensure city leaders and decision‑makers have her full testimony on file. “I'd encourage you to email that in, so other city leaders can be aware of this issue,” the chair said after the comment; no formal staff action or vote was taken during the meeting.
Ending
Burton closed by urging action to preserve veteran and elderly households at Fairway Estates; commissioners did not vote on the request during the meeting but staff invited submitted written comments and said the comprehensive plan and development regulations are under public comment through May 12.
