On Oct. 2 all the resident homeowners in Coachman received a notice from the landowners, Ed & Susan Kostuch stating “We intend at some time in the future to serve Notice to End Tenancy, however we do not have any official timeline as of yet. We do intend to, and would like to, work together with those affected to come up with solutions to make the transition as easy as possible.”
We are encouraged by their letter and hope that it means that they will be abiding by The Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act and Bill M208. The act does encourage landowners to follow the suggested amendments of Bill M208.
We do intend to address village council on Oct.15 in regards to this matter. We feel that the council and mayor need to look at the need for village policy to protect affordable housing within Nakusp, mobile/manufactured homes in rental parks included. Nakusp has other rental parks and it would be in the best interest of the village and its residents for council to develop policy recognizing this valuable affordable housing, a policy that would include and support the B.C. legislation Bill M208. It would help mobile home owners and landowners know their rights and responsibilities respectively, especially newcomers to town that are looking at purchasing property that has a rental park. A policy would help to inform and protect all parties including the Village.
We would like to invite others to join us at council meeting. All Nakuspians and businesses benefit in seeing that the village continues to have affordable housing available for families, seniors, employees, etc.
Coachman mobile home park is the only park in Nakusp that is both family and pet friendly, the other parks either have both age restrictions or no pet or pet size or type restrictions.
Another concern is the landowners development plan to enlarge the campground, this is what they have stated is their tentative plan. Nakusp already has several campgrounds, both village and privately owned, including Coachman. Several people have asked us why they would want to enlarge the campground when it and other campgrounds are never full, and even on a long weekend, such as August long, you can always see empty campsites.
Good question, it would seem that an over-saturation of camp spots would be a deterrent for all the owners of recreational sites, like Murphy’s Landing, Rider’s Retreat, both the village campgrounds in town and at the hot springs, and Coachman. As one person stated to us, the glory days of the Musicfest years are long past.
Meanwhile a mobile home park earns pad rent year round and there is actually a need for more rental pads within family/pet friendly parks. We personally know families that would love to put a new mobile in the Coachman park.
Of course, what the landowners choose to do with their property, is their business, and a Village decision. These are just some educated observations that are being made.
Again we hope to see others at the village council meeting on Oct. 15.
Michael & Shawna Lagore
Nakusp, B.C.