Trailer park landowner looking to redevelop
John French
Chief Staff Writer
Residents of the Wagon Wheel Trailer Park are starting to look for new accommodations after getting a letter from the park owner that indicates eviction notices will be handed out next summer.
The homes located at the corner of Government Road and Mamquam Road are all trailers. Townhouse developments border the park on two sides with the new Virescence townhouse development on Mamquam and the Shannon Estates development on Government.
The park has existed for more than 30 years and according to a resident who asked not to be identified, at least one resident has lived in the park for 31 years.
"Where will all these people go?" the resident asked. She doesn't want her name published out of fear that she may suffer repercussions for speaking to a newspaper reporter.
The Chief called the landowner, Angelo Milia, and left a message. The message was not returned before The Chief's press deadline.
According to the resident, there is no place in Squamish to put a trailer.
If the landlord stays with his plan, residents are expecting to get eviction notices next summer. The resident said that means those who live in the park have two years to figure out where they will go.
The Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act makes it a challenge to clear a trailer park.The act has a section that deals with tenant compensation.
The law states that a landlord must have all the necessary permits and approvals required by law to convert all or a significant part of the manufactured home park to a non-residential use or a residential use other than a manufactured home park before ending the tenancy agreements.
The act also states that a landlord who gives eviction notices has to pay the tenant an amount that is equivalent to 12 months' rent.
