Goleta extends emergency ordinance to keep University Mobile Home Park senior‑only after residents cite steep rent notices

The Goleta City Council on March 17 adopted an interim urgency ordinance extension that keeps the University Mobile Home Park designated for residents 55 and older and prohibits conversion to an all‑ages park.

The 4–1 roll‑call vote extended the council’s prior emergency action and will keep the overlay and moratorium in place beyond the ordinance’s original April 3 expiration. Councilmember Kasdin cast the lone no vote.

The vote came after multiple residents described abrupt rent and termination notices they say followed a change in park ownership. “They are requiring a rent increase from $575 to $1,995 effective July 1,” said Bridal Sleeman, past president of the University Mobile Home Park Residents Association, during public testimony. She urged council to maintain the park’s senior status to prevent displacement of low‑income seniors.

City staff told the council the ordinance is a land‑use measure to preserve the park’s age‑restricted status rather than a rent‑control instrument. “To the extent there’s concern about how they’re managing the rent process, that is a separate discussion,” Councilmember Kazdin said, noting rent control and eviction issues fall under different procedures and enforcement channels.

Mayor Pro Tem Smith urged residents to pursue legal help for individual disputes and asked staff to investigate any violations of the city’s existing rental protections. “If there are potential violations of our existing rent ordinance, that should be investigated by city staff,” Smith said, while reminding residents staff cannot provide private legal counsel and pointing them to providers such as the Legal Aid Foundation.

The ordinance requires a four‑fifths vote when first adopted; the council met that threshold with four yes votes (Reyes Martin, Kyriakko/Curielco, Mayor Pro Tem Smith and Mayor Perotti) and one no.

What happens next: the extension preserves the senior overlay and moratorium while staff monitors the situation and provides follow‑up to council as needed. Residents who raised eviction and rent‑increase concerns were encouraged to document written notices and to consider mediation and legal aid resources; the council stopped short of enacting new rent control measures at this hearing.

Action: Council moved and seconded the staff recommendation to extend the interim urgency ordinance and approved it by roll call. The extension keeps the senior mobile home park overlay and moratorium in effect pending further action or review.