Residents Say Mobile-Home Park Closure Will Cause Hardship; Ask Township for Help

Multiple residents of the mobile-home park near 70 Sherry Drive spoke during public comment at the Board meeting, saying the announced closure will cause hardship for older and low-income households and asking the Township to help coordinate resources.

Velma McConnell told the Board that United Zion bought the parcel years ago while continuing to accept new homeowners, and told the meeting that "they are removing 70 households of low income seniors to replace them with residents who will pay up to $295,000." Karen Eck said she had hoped to retire there and described emotional and financial distress from the impending closure. Several speakers asked whether prospective buyers or tenants who moved in after the developer acquired the property should have been informed about long-term plans.

A local realtor, Joe Leofsky, pressed the legal and ethical question of disclosure, asking whether moving someone into a park while knowing it will close amounts to a material defect; he contrasted that question with the developer's stated mission "based on Christian principles." Residents asked the Township to provide direct assistance because many lack email or other means to receive notices and help with relocation planning.

The Board did not take immediate remedial action during the meeting; counsel for United Zion reiterated that state law (the Manufactured Home Community Rights Act) governs park-closure procedures and that the company has provided required notices, but residents asked the Township to consider facilitation and support during the transition.