This blog post explores the latest push by residents of a 55+ manufactured-home park in Novato. They want the city to transfer ownership of the property to tenants—a fight that’s tangled up in a 1990s loan agreement and a 1998 purchase deal that still shapes life at Marin Valley Mobile Country Club.
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A decades-long housing story in Novato’s Marin Valley
Residents at Marin Valley Mobile Country Club, tucked along the Highway 101 corridor in Novato, have chased a path to ownership for years. Back in 1997, the community asked the city for help buying the park, and the city responded with a loan of about $17 million.
After that, the city took title to the 300-site, 55-plus park. Residents paid rent that gradually paid down the loan. So, the city held the deed, but tenants built equity through their monthly payments.
A local, tenant-led group called Park Acquisition Corp. stepped up, with support from the national nonprofit You Are The Power. Not long ago, activists and neighbors crowded a City Council meeting in Novato, urging leaders to move forward with the ownership transfer.
That story probably sounds familiar to lots of Marin homeowners who worry about the future of affordable housing in places like Mill Valley, San Rafael, and San Anselmo. The group insists the 1998 purchase agreement meant tenants would eventually own the park, once the loan was paid off—a milestone they say should arrive in 2027.
Over the years, residents tried twice to buy the property outright. Negotiations with the city broke down last winter after two years of talks.
Now, the strategy isn’t to strike a new deal but to press the city to honor the original intent and transfer ownership when the loan’s finally gone.
The 1998 purchase promise: what was supposed to happen
Supporters say the 1998 deal set up a clear path: as the loan neared payoff, tenants would gain ownership. The city kept the title and collected rent, using the money to repay the loan.
For Marin Valley, 2027 has become a big target for residents who want real security in their community. The main question now—will the city stick to that original understanding, or will it try to keep the property under municipal control?
Attempts to shift ownership have failed twice, most recently ending last winter without a deal. The Park Acquisition Corp. argues that the city’s title is just a technicality and that residents deserve a transition to tenant ownership as promised in 1998.
City officials say the history matters, but they also have to look out for the wider Marin County community and keep things affordable and sustainable. That’s a tough balance.
The renewed push: what supporters want now
At the latest Novato City Council meeting, residents and their supporters made their case. They described the issue as a test of the city’s responsibility to a long-standing, family-focused neighborhood.
Victoria Lawhorn from You Are The Power says the documents show a clear promise to transfer ownership when the loan is paid off. City officials admit that past talks led to mixed expectations, but they say everyone wants long-term affordability, stability, and sustainability for Marin Valley and the surrounding neighborhoods.
- Honor the 1998 intent to transfer ownership when the loan is fully repaid.
- Avoid reopening the price-tag or terms that would derail the original timetable.
- Keep the conversation constructive by scheduling focused meetings with leadership, including Mayor Rachel Farac and District Councilmember Sandeep Karkal, as requested by park leaders.
- Align with Marin County’s broader housing goals by preserving affordability and long-term stability for residents in Novato and nearby communities like Novato’s Hamilton area and San Rafael.
- Provide clarity on ownership and titles to avoid disputes and foster trust among tenants and taxpayers alike.
City response and what lies ahead for Marin Valley
Novato’s city spokesperson, Sherin Olivero, admitted that earlier negotiations led to some mixed expectations. She emphasized the city’s focus on long-term affordability, stability, and sustainability for everyone in the community.
Mayor Rachel Farac said she’s open to more conversation and even offered to set up a separate meeting about the issue. Meanwhile, Park Acquisition leaders pushed for a joint session with the mayor and District Councilmember Karkal.
What happens next really depends on whether the city can find a way to honor the 1998 framework but also deal with the current affordability crunch. Other Marin County towns—like Larkspur, Fairfax, and Tiburon—face similar challenges.
For people living at Marin Valley Mobile Country Club, this outcome could become a model for tenant-owned parks all over the North Bay. The push and pull between city leadership and resident ownership keeps testing how Marin County can hang on to affordable housing as things change.
With winter meetings coming up, Marin Valley’s future feels uncertain. The decisions made now will impact housing, local government, and maybe even community pride in Marin County for a long time.
Here is the source article for this story: Novato residents revive campaign to own mobile home park
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