County OKs Buena Vista plan
Partnership aimed at saving Palo Alto mobile home park approved
SAN JOSE — Santa Clara County supervisors unanimously supported a partnership Tuesday aimed at saving the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park in Palo Alto, using eminent domain to take possession of the property if necessary.
Supervisor Joe Simitian, who represents the North County area, called the partnership between the county, Palo Alto and the Santa Clara County Housing Authority “the final piece of the puzzle necessary” to save the 117 units at the park, which is home to about 400 residents and considered a last bastion of affordable housing in the area.
The board chambers were filled with Buena Vista residents and supporters. Just moments before, the board approved a bond measure that would raise nearly $1 billion to help the homeless. Simitian said that prior vote underscored the importance of keeping the park.
“Can we afford to lose any
more units of affordable housing in this county?” Simitian asked. “I think not.”
The county has already pledged a $14.5 million contribution to buy the property, which was matched by Palo Alto. An additional contribution could come from the Housing Authority. With the county on board, the city and authority will take up the matter next week. The next step would involve an appraisal of the property. Palo Alto officials and the director of the authority have pledged support for the partnership. “We know, of course, that last fall, negotiations to buy the park stalled,” said Katherine Harasz, executive director of the authority, in a statement issued last week. “Once we have an appraisal and have finished due diligence, the Housing Authority Board will consider acquisition of the park in an effort to keep these 400 families in their homes, including negotiation, and, if necessary, eminent domain.”
An attorney for the Jisser family, owners of the property, said last week that taking over the property to benefit another group of private citizens is a violation of the Fifth Amendment because the property won’t actually be for public use, such as a school or a road.
“I don’t see how anyone’s property in Silicon Valley is safe on that rationale,” said Larry Salzman of the Pacific Legal Foundation. “The alleged justification that the county just needs more affordable housing justifies virtually taking anyone’s property and turning it into affordable housing.”
He added that good faith negotiations “begin with an offer and not a threat” and that “there’s no for sale sign on the park.”
The county received a letter supporting acquisition of the site signed by U.S. Rep Anna Eshoo, state Sen. Jerry Hill and Assemblyman Richard Gordon. The effort to save the housing garnered considerable support from Palo Alto officials, school board members and hundreds of members of the community.
Simitian said that outpouring of support — from his county colleagues, Palo Alto officials, politicians and concerned citizens — has been vital in the effort.
“We’ve seen a litany of people speak up along the way,” he said. “I think it demonstrates we can do great things if we all work together.”