Sun-Sentinel 11/11/04

We would like to thank Toni Marshall for quality reporting on this important issue.

-------------------- Coconut Creek residents oppose condo plan --------------------
By Toni Marshall
Staff Writer

November 11, 2004

Coconut Creek * Haydee Arroyo is having a hard time explaining to her young children that they may lose the home they just purchased a year ago.

"I spent a lot of money rebuilding and fixing," she said. "They are going to tear apart our homes. Please reconsider."

She was among 200 residents attending a standing-room-only public hearing at the city's government center Wednesday night to protest a proposed townhome and condominium development that stands to replace their mobile home community.

Wood Partners, a developer of residential communities, has a contract to buy the property known as Coral Lakes at Wiles and Lyons Road where 223 mobile homes are located.

The developer has asked the zoning board to rezone the property for town homes and condominiums. The board tabled the request, saying it didn't have enough information to make a decision Wednesday night.

Plans for the 29-acre property to be called Paloma Lakes include 244 town homes and 56 condominiums.

"Our problem is they just want to give us practically nothing for every single unit," said Jorge Osorio, 43, a three-year resident who lives at Coral Lakes with his wife and children. Osorio said he is angry that the owner, Coral Lakes MHP, is said to be offering $1,300 for single mobile homes, and $3,000 for double units. "They have not talked to us," Osorio said. He said his single mobile home cost $10,000 to $15,000.

At Wednesday's planning and zoning board hearing, developers gave a presentation on the proposed community, but that didn't impress residents. If the City Commission approves the project, residents will receive letters in February giving them six months to relocate or move their homes, said Barbara Hall, an attorney for the developers.

A relocation service will help residents move their homes, if possible, and find affordable housing, she said.

Under state law, the seller of the property is required to pay mobile home owners $3,000 to $6,000 to help them relocate, she said. If they abandon the homes, they would receive $1,375 to $2,750.

Many residents, who are low-income Spanish- and Portuguese-speakers or seniors, say the homes cannot be moved.

The City Commission will hold additional public hearings on the issue at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 7 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the government center at 4800 W. Copans Road.

Copyright (c) 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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