The Simi Valley City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance last week extending an urgency moratorium on the closure or conversion of mobile home parks throughout the city to May 2009.

The moratorium, which affects more than 800 rental spaces in Simi Valley's seven mobile home parks, was initially approved last month for only 45 days.

Tom Preece, senior planner with the city, said the planning department is in need of extra time to research the possible consequences of a mobile home park closure or conversion.

"(City) staff estimates that approximately 120 additional days are needed to further research the issues and then respond to the City Council's direction," he said. "Staff will return with a follow-up report to allow the City Council to provide direction regarding potential amendments to the General Plan."

During a public hearing last Wednesday, the City Council extended the original moratorium by 10 months and 15 days, pursuant to state law.

Peter Lyons, director of environmental services, said the moratorium was initially enacted because a few mobile home park owners informally expressed interest in converting their properties to residential subdivisions.

Because the city considers mobile home parks to be an alternative to affordable housing, city staff is concerned that a conversion to resident ownership could pose a threat to current mobile home owners, who only lease the land upon which their home is situated.

According to a city staff report, findings and recommendations concerning the mobile home parks will be presented to the City Council within the next four months.