Concerns Rise Over New RV Park in Harbor City

John Montanya is gearing up to relocate to a new RV park located in the west of Green Meadows in Harbor City. Yet, there’s a catch—he faces a lengthy two-hour commute from Bakersfield, mainly because his neighbors rallied against the park’s opening.

“Save Green Meadows West” signs have cropped up across numerous lawns, reflecting residents’ fears about potential crime and drops in property values. Yet, for Montanya and others, the park—named Ocean’s 11—represents an affordable housing option in an otherwise pricey area.

“There are folks living in RVs,” Montanya pointed out, mentioning his plan to pay $1,250 monthly for a spot in his 2021 Tiffin Allegro. “Anyone can pose a safety risk in any neighborhood. It’s an RV park—no need to generalize.”

Nicole Paulsen, who resides on President Avenue, just a block from the proposed site, also expresses concern. She fears a “Breaking Bad” situation involving crime and drugs, and she’s particularly upset about RVs illegally parked near Western Avenue. Paulsen believes the park developers didn’t properly consult local residents during the planning stages. “We’re losing our neighborhood,” she remarked.

Despite her apprehensions, Paulsen acknowledges that many potential future residents are likely law-abiding. She also suggested that some opposition is driven by fears that RV park dwellers, who she described as “packed like sardines,” aren’t safe themselves.

Jerry Long, a neighbor for 13 years, prefers traditional housing developments over RV parks. “This doesn’t align with the neighborhood’s character,” he asserted. “It was zoned for single-family homes.”

For over a year, Ocean’s 11 has faced legal battles and procedural delays, including obstacles set forth by Councillor Tim Makoskar, who secured the city’s approval for the park.

Currently, the RV park remains mostly vacant, with only security personnel residing there.

Stewart Silver, an entrepreneur who acquired 1.2 acres near Los Angeles for $1.6 million in 2023, has invested over $500,000 into preparing and constructing 11 sites. He has started offering these lots, complete with water, electrical, and sewer hookups, as well as space for tenants to park their vehicles and cultivate small gardens.

Silver utilized a streamlined process that enables RV parks to classify as a “public interest project” if they meet specific criteria. However, news of the project spread among local residents, many of whom have lived there for years and take pride in their neat lawns and single-family homes. For instance, a three-bedroom home on President Avenue is on the market for $799,000.

Last June, Paulsen kickstarted a GoFundMe campaign that quickly garnered over $30,000 to secure legal counsel in opposition to the RV park. “We are united in our concerns about the RV park’s construction and its potential consequences on our neighborhood’s safety, traffic, and property values,” she stated.

“I’ve followed all regulations. We’ll be good neighbors. This isn’t just about me—it’s the community I’ve built,” Silver responded, insisting that the residents concerned are just ordinary folks. He’s committed to having 24/7 security guards on-site.

Dana Goller, a security guard living at the park, believes it will enhance neighborhood safety. “Everyone here is like them—they work, they live, they pay bills. This is a blessing, not a homeless encampment,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Makoskar, representing the area, has heard from locals like Paulsen who are anxious about the RV park. He pointed out environmental concerns tied to the project, referencing past issues at other parks owned by Silver.

Silver sold a former RV park in Wilmington five years ago and claimed it was incident-free under his management. However, Makoskar described the Wilmington site as concerning and noted that Silver’s current plans seem destined to exacerbate any existing issues.

The city council’s approval of Makoskar’s proposal in June led to a temporary suspension of the park’s permit, resulting from claims that Silver hadn’t met necessary standards for public benefit projects.

“This effort isn’t about shutting things down; it’s about ensuring safety and livability for everyone,” Makoskar asserted.

On the other hand, Silver views the scrutiny as a thinly veiled political maneuver to thwart his project. “It’s a shame when city councilors disrupt affordable housing options,” said Zachary Pitts, a supporter of Silver’s venture.

Last July, Silver filed a lawsuit against the city over the environmental review delay. In a recent ruling, a judge sided largely with Silver, mandating the city to process the necessary permits.

In response, Makoskar has pushed for additional regulations and the drafting of an interim ordinance to block new RV park permits under the “public benefit” category. The ordinance would be in effect for 45 days, with the possibility of extension as new land use rules are formulated.

The ramifications of this ordinance on Ocean’s 11 remain uncertain. Silver believes the court ruling supports his eligibility for the necessary permits, stating, “This ruling truly affected me,” as Paulsen reacted emotionally to the ongoing situation.