Old water lines, new vision: Star City property owner hopeful of zoning change
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STAR CITY - When Jakob Godfrey added a mobile home park on Somerset Street to his portfolio in 2021, he said he had every intention of keeping the park as-is save improvements.
Godfrey now realizes that is not going to be possible and has asked Star City Town Council to rezone the property so he can build townhomes. Council decided Oct. 6 to table the vote and resume the discussion at its Oct. 20 meeting.
Under the management of Godfrey's Alexandra Rentals, the name of the park changed to Star Haven Manufactured Home Community and 10 new mobile homes were moved in. They sit among the older models, some dating back to the earliest days of the park itself, which was established in the 1960s.
The infrastructure of that community also dates back to the 60s, when the park was started by Joseph and Ruth Trovato. Godfrey bought the park from their daughter, Sherry Lynn Trovato, who had managed it since around 2000.
"I've known that park all my life," said Godfrey, who grew up not far from Star City on Collins Ferry Road. "I used to cut grass there."
With that history and already owning property nearby, it made sense to Godfrey to purchase the mobile home park when it became available.
For five years, Godfrey said he has worked to make improvements. That started with the 10 new models, buying 70 percent of the older ones, fixing them up and renting them to residents.
"My original plan was to fully (fill) all trailer spots," Godfrey said.
Godfrey said the biggest problem is the condition of the original water lines. They are five decades old and just 3-inch pipes. All homes connect to one water main and Godfrey said that means an issue for one home is an issue for all.
If pipes in one home freeze or leak, that can cause water to cease running in all. Also, because the pipes are narrow, clogs occur weekly.
Godfrey has already spent upwards of $100,000 into putting new lines in one side of the park. He said it's become apparent that doing more work is not feasible and won't be sufficient for all the homes.
It would cost another $800,000 to redo the rest of the water and sewer lines and homes would have to be moved to do that, he said.
There are 42 spots for trailers. Godfrey said there are about 30 there, but only 24 are inhabitable, as some have been condemned.
Godfrey's plan is to remove the mobile homes, help each tenant find a new place to live and build townhomes in the footprint of the park.
To help his current renters, Godfrey is working with Black Diamond Realty to find land he can buy and put in another trailer park. That would include the appropriate infrastructure and larger lots, he said.
"I'm going to make sure we take care of them," Godfrey said of his current renters.
He said he chose townhomes because he believes Star City lacks that type of housing and the size of Star Haven makes that more feasible than other options.
The new community would include two new single-family homes to be built in an empty lot along Somerset Street. Two existing houses, including the Trovato home at the current entrance to the park, will remain. A second entrance will be built in front of the new houses in the open lot. Godfrey said he does not own the existing single-family homes but is interested in buying them.
In the mobile home community, there will be up to 26 townhouses in four or five buildings, new roads, common areas, landscaping, exterior lights and fire hydrants - which Star Haven now lacks.
Godfrey knows he has opposition to his plan. Two women spoke against it at the recent Star City Town Council meeting, where Mayor Sharon Doyle also read a handful of letters and emails from others with concerns. Godfrey said none of those who wrote or spoke out are residents of Star Haven. He also believes the townhomes, which will be sold and not rented, will benefit the community.
"I expect opposition in anything I do," he said. "You will always have people who don't agree. I will talk to anyone who has questions or concerns. For eight months, I've listened to everyone. I've heard concerns and I've changed plans. Now, something needs to be done."
Godfrey said if Star City grants his rezoning request, he will begin working on his plan to establish exactly how many townhomes will be built. The whole project will take a few years, with the two single-family homes going up first. Then, Phase 1 will involve pulling out the first row of about eight mobile homes and starting the first building. Godfrey owns those eight homes.
Despite the infrastructure issues and running into opposition for the new plan, Godfrey said he'd buy the mobile home park again.
"Given everything I know, yes," he said. "I do enjoy the park. I enjoy the people. I do not enjoy the water leaks and clogged toilets."
He said he tells people "I'm not in the rental business. I'm in the hospitality business."
"This isn't a decision I've made overnight or taken lightly," he wrote on social media after the council meeting. "I've invested a tremendous amount of time, money and effort into this property over the years. However, I also have to look at what makes sense for the future, not only for the property but for the community as a whole."
Godfrey's request is to rezone Star Haven from Class A Residential (single family) to Class B Residential (multiple family).
Star City Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 at Town Hall, 370 Broadway Ave.