HILLIARD, Fla. — Families in Hilliard are being told to move out of the Pine Street Mobile Home Park after the Hilliard Town Council approved a zoning change that will allow the owner to convert the property into an RV park.
In June, residents were told by mail they had until Aug. 31 to move out. The letter said the property owner, Hilliard LLC, decided not to charge families rent from June through the end of August.
“We have nowhere to go. A lot of us are on social security. A lot of us are on fixed income like she is with all her kids,” Theresa Jackson said, pointing at her daughter, Danielle Jackson.
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Theresa has lived at the mobile home park for almost a decade. She, her daughter and her seven children must now find new places to live.
“In May, he (Hilliard LLC) also raised our lot rent from $250 to $350 a month,” Danielle added.
Families like the Jacksons in Hilliard are being told to move out of their mobile home park. This comes after town council approved a zoning change, allowing the owner to turn the property into an RV park. pic.twitter.com/hNX2Sfk8W5
— Stephanie Bennett (@StephanieANJax) June 28, 2021
In early June, Hilliard LLC asked for town approval to turn the property into an RV park.
The owner alerted residents ahead of a city zoning meeting in early June. Then a letter sent to residents dated June 3 told them the request had been approved.
One by one, residents took to the podium at the zoning meeting in early June.
“I just don’t understand why the short notice,” Ashley Ward said.
Brad Wester, an agent speaking on behalf of Hilliard LLC, said crews need time to prepare the area to become an RV park. In the zoning meeting, he implied the property owner was more than generous in giving residents time to move out.
“Allowing those folks with due proper notice – well beyond the Florida statute which I believe is 15 days for eviction notices – allowing them 30, 60, 90 days to find a new place,” Wester said.
Action News Jax reached out to Hilliard LLC and swung by the office in Jacksonville. Nobody could be reached.
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Meanwhile, the Jacksons say both their homes are so old they cannot be moved, adding that the family is facing homelessness. The Jacksons say they need more time to prepare.
The Jacksons have set up a GoFundMe account which can be accessed here.
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