West Cliff Lynch Associates v. City of Santa Cruz
West Cliff Lynch Associates, LLC (West Cliff) is the owner of the Clearview Court Mobilehome Park (Park) located in the City of Santa Cruz (City). Ramon Orozco (Orozco) and Maxima Sanchez (Sanchez) (collectively Orozco/Sanchez) are two of the Parks tenants and owners of a mobilehome unit located there. In late 2003, a dispute arose out of Orozco/Sanchezs attempt to avail themselves of the benefits of a City ordinance providing for rent control to mobilehome tenants.[1] They did not make a timely election to enroll in the rent control program. Orozco/Sanchez, however, sought relief under an escape clause in the Ordinance that permits a mobilehome owner to submit an application for rent control eligibility to the Citys planning director within 45 days of the tenants gaining actual knowledge of the availability of rent control under the Ordinance. Their application was rejected by the City, but Orozco/Sanchez prevailed in an administrative appeal. West Cliffs petition for writ of administrative mandamus challenging that decision was denied by the court below.
On appeal, West Cliff argues that there was no substantial evidence supporting the administrative hearing officers conclusion that Orozco/Sanchez did not have actual knowledge of the availability of rent control under the Ordinance until on or about December 8, 2003, which was a date within 45 days of the filing of their application with the City. Court conclude that there was substantial evidence supporting the hearing officers decision. Accordingly, the trial court did not err; Court affirm the denial of West Cliffs petition for writ of mandamus.
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