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Johnson County Supervisors push for public meeting with mobile home park owner

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. -public-meeting-with-mobile-home-park-owner.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 30th 2025 at 4:26 GMT by The Gazette
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Johnson County’s local government has been at the center of a contentious debate over the future of a small mobile‑home community in the county. According to the Gazette, county supervisors have repeatedly urged the owner of Haven Park—a modestly sized mobile‑home park—to convene a public meeting in order to discuss a proposal that could reshape the park’s infrastructure and the lives of its residents.

The push for a public forum has its roots in a growing awareness of the county’s housing needs. Johnson County has long struggled with a shortage of affordable housing options for its residents, a problem that has been intensified by rising real‑estate prices and a shift in demographic trends. Mobile‑home parks, which often offer more affordable living spaces than traditional rental or home‑ownership models, have emerged as a potential remedy. However, the county’s relationship with Haven Park has been strained since the park’s owner first expressed a reluctance to engage in a community‑level discussion.

The Gazette’s coverage notes that the owner, a private individual who has held the property for several years, has consistently declined invitations to hold a public meeting. In response, the county board has taken a more assertive stance. During a recent meeting of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, a group of elected officials highlighted the importance of transparency and public participation in any redevelopment plans. The board’s resolution, adopted in a 4‑to‑1 vote, specifically requested that the park’s owner convene a public forum no later than the end of the month. The supervisors argued that such a meeting would give residents the chance to voice concerns about potential changes to the park’s layout, infrastructure, and lease terms.

In the Gazette article, a representative of the park’s owner was quoted as saying that the owner’s primary concern is the financial burden of any proposed improvements. “We’re not looking to get into any unnecessary conflict,” the owner said. “We’re simply interested in ensuring that any developments we consider are feasible and do not jeopardize the livelihoods of those who depend on this community.”

Meanwhile, the county’s officials emphasized that the proposed public meeting would be a critical step toward ensuring that any future plans for Haven Park were built on a foundation of shared understanding and mutual respect. “We’re not here to dictate policies,” one supervisor remarked. “We’re here to facilitate dialogue so that everyone’s interests can be balanced.”

The Gazette article also reports on a series of prior attempts to bring the park’s owner to the county’s public hearing. In each instance, the owner either declined to attend or requested a different format for the discussion. These repeated denials have fueled frustration among county officials, many of whom see the lack of cooperation as a barrier to addressing the county’s broader housing crisis.

In addition to the local debate, the Gazette provided context on the role that county government typically plays in regulating mobile‑home parks. Johnson County’s regulations cover everything from zoning and environmental compliance to lease agreements and resident rights. In recent years, the county has faced criticism for its lack of proactive engagement with park owners, leading to a perception that the government is more reactive than preventative. The current situation with Haven Park may serve as a test case for how the county can balance enforcement with facilitation.

The Gazette’s piece also referenced a few online resources that provide additional context. For example, the county’s official website includes a section on mobile‑home park regulations and the county’s policy on affordable housing. The park’s own website—although not directly linked in the article—offers background on its history and the types of units it offers. In addition, the Gazette cited a news release from a regional housing advocacy group that underscored the importance of incorporating mobile‑home communities into a broader affordable‑housing strategy.

Looking ahead, the Gazette reports that the Johnson County Board of Supervisors will keep the community updated on the status of the public meeting. “We’re committed to ensuring that all voices are heard,” one supervisor said. “The next step is to get the park owner on board.”

In sum, the Gazette’s coverage paints a picture of a local government grappling with a complex issue that intertwines community engagement, affordable housing, and regulatory oversight. As the county pushes for a public meeting with the owner of Haven Park, the outcome could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future. Whether the owner ultimately agrees to the forum remains to be seen, but the county’s insistence on transparency and public participation highlights the growing importance of open dialogue in addressing housing challenges at the local level.