Save Senior Mobile Home Parks

San Marcos city leaders are inviting the public to a workshop this Thursday evening to discuss a zoning change designed to protect the city’s senior mobile home parks. The proposal, known as Text Amendment TA24-0005, would ensure that the seven existing age-restricted (55+) communities in San Marcos remain reserved for older adults.

The measure is not about closing parks or reducing housing. Instead, it is aimed at preventing the conversion of senior-only parks into all-ages communities — a change that advocates say could displace older residents who rely on stable, affordable housing.

The seven parks affected include El Dorado, Lakeview Estates, Palomar Estates East, Palomar Estates West, Rancho Vallecitos, San Marcos Mobile Estates, and Valle Verde Estates. Together, they make up an important segment of housing for retirees and seniors on fixed incomes.

City planners say the zoning amendment would create an “overlay” that prohibits owners from altering the parks’ senior-only status. The goal, according to officials, is to preserve the character and intent of these communities, which were established decades ago to serve older residents.

“This workshop is about listening to residents and making sure we safeguard senior housing in San Marcos,” said Associate Planner Sarah Cluff, who is coordinating the meeting. “There is no plan to eliminate these communities — only to protect them.”

The workshop will be held September 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the San Marcos Community Center Main Hall, 3 Civic Center Drive. No formal votes will be taken at the meeting, but input from attendees will help shape how the city moves forward with the amendment.

Residents of the affected parks and the broader San Marcos community are encouraged to attend.

More information is available at https://www.san-marcos.net/services/development-services/public-input, or by contacting Sarah Cluff at scluff@san-marcos.net or 760-744-1050, ext. 3227.