Homeowners in Harbor City Wednesday pushed back against a proposed RV park in their neighborhood, sparking a fierce battle in the Green Meadows community.
The neighborhood within the city of Los Angeles – despite its proximity to Torrance – is a residential area with a lot of single-family homes. With the sign that reads “Save Green Meadows” posted on their lawns, neighbors said they want to fight the proposal to turn an old oil field into the site of an RV park.
Opponents said the facility will cause crime, congestion, parking, sanitation and safety issues as the lot will have enough room for 46 short-term and long-term RV slots with the rental prices of $1,250 to $1,300.
“These things, they invite crime because it’s cheaper living,” Bob Mengel, a homeowner who opposes the project, said. “We pay a high price to live here and live away from all that, so why should we be forced into it?
Another neighbor also said because of the limited points on entering and exiting the community, people who lived in Green Meadows for years and decades will see their neighborhood change.
“(The proposed RV park) is a super high-density number of people,” Jerry Long said. “How do you come in and drop in 50 or 40 trailers?
The project had been stalled as a result of opposition and legal battles. But a judge recently ruled largely in favor of the lot owner.
Steward Silver, the property owner, also said every single RV slot was sold out, showing how much demand there is for sites like his. As the RV slots will be rented out for $1,250 to $1,300, Silver said potential tenants include lineman and traveling nurses.
“This is not a freebie where people can just camp,” Silver said while insisting it’ll be a safe, security facility.
For families hoping to move into the park, it’s an opportunity to live in a safe neighborhood.
“It seems to be a lot better neighborhood. I heard real good things about the school district here,” Eric Menchaca, whose son is a high school student, said.