Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Discusses Long-Term Residency at Cali Lake RV Park
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently spent time discussing the issue of long-term residency at Cali Lake RV Park. The matter will be further addressed at the board’s upcoming public hearing session on September 17.
Stewart Silver, the owner of Cali Lake, expressed optimism about the outcome of the discussion. In a phone interview, he stated, “I honestly believe that they’re going to do this. Everything is going to be fine.”
In April, the county Regional Planning Commission granted Silver a conditional use permit for short-term stays of up to 90 days within a six-month period at the park. However, the board questioned the commission’s decision to limit stays to this shorter timeframe due to the park’s location in a high fire and flood severity zone.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Supervisor Janice Hahn both raised concerns about the idea that short-term residents would be better equipped to evacuate during emergencies compared to long-term residents. They questioned the county’s findings and sought clarification on why the 90-day limit was imposed.
Amy Bodek, director of Regional Planning, explained that the 90-day limit has always been part of the conditional use permit for the RV park. She cited the high risk of fires and floods as the reason behind the limit, despite state law stating that length of stay cannot be restricted without substantial findings. Bodek also emphasized that the park was never intended for permanent housing.
Supervisor Barger highlighted the county’s ongoing challenges with affordable housing and homelessness and expressed concerns about adding more people to the streets. She suggested that allowing long-term stays at the park could be an exception to address the housing crisis. However, she requested further information on the county’s liability before making a decision.
Stewart Silver assured that he would comply with any necessary measures to ensure the park’s residents can continue living there. He expressed surprise at the situation, stating, “I didn’t think it was going to end this way. I was prepared to go the distance.”
Chris Chapman, the attorney representing Silver and the park, argued that there is no correlation between length of stay and the health and safety of the residents. He compared the situation to an apartment building with both short-term and long-term residents, stating that the person who has been there longer would be better equipped to evacuate during a fire.
Several residents of Cali Lake RV Park spoke at the board meeting, expressing their concerns about being forced to move due to the imposed limitations. Anthony Ferguson, who has been a resident for 40 years, questioned why he should be kicked out after living in the same place for so long. Michael Strange, a six-year resident, emphasized that the transient nature of short-term residents could pose risks during emergencies.
