Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Barbara Kepley and her Oasis Mobile Home Park neighbors are being moved out to make room for a proposed retail development. The park is on Overland Street, just south of Albertsons in South Carson City. Kepley has lived there for 15 years.
Barbara Kepley's neighbors at the Oasis Mobile Home Park in South Carson City often refer to her as "the lady with the pretty yard."
A trellis supports some crawling greenery and surrounds well-tended grass and carefully placed planters and rocks. A bird feeder hangs from a tree.
But by June 15, Kepley and her yard will both need to be gone, to make room for a retail-office complex on the 154,400-square-foot lot now occupied by the park.
The Carson City Planning Commission this afternoon will hear about what is planned for Oasis residents. The commissioners can't take action but can take public comment about the process and ensure the landowner is following all applicable rules.
Kepley, 69, said she and other Oasis residents first were told in September the park on South Carson Street was going to close. Oasis was filled to capacity at that time but has since dwindled down to just her and a few others.
She sometimes works for the Carson City School District as a cook but essentially is retired. Her mobile home was previously owned by a retired school teacher. Kepley arrived at Oasis 15 years ago from Fresno, Calif., with her now-deceased husband. They lived in a recreational vehicle until they bought the mobile.
"This one is paid off," she said of the light-beige 1970 Fashion with brick-red trim. "Social Security doesn't go very far."
Oasis itself is at least 40 years old.
"Given the park's age and the number of units, I'm surprised it lasted this long," said Walter Sullivan, the city's community development director.
Kepley believes she will be moved to a space in another local mobile home park, but still is unsure when or whether the owners of Oasis will move her. She has three children living in the area and would like to stay in Carson City.
"They told me back in September they'd move me," she said. "But I'm still here."
According to state law, the property owner has 180 days to move the tenants to a location up to 50 miles away. The landowner also can buy the mobile home, among other provisions, though Kepley prefers she be moved.
Official notice came in December, and she wonders what will happen if her home isn't moved by June 15.
"Do they still have to do it after June 15?" she asked.
• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.