Those officials, representing city, county and state governments, brainstormed Monday to find solutions to the widening problem of the parks being sold out from under their residents.

Since 2001, eight such parks in the county have shut down as the land transitioned into other, more lucrative uses. A ninth community - Pioneer Mobile Home Park just off 900 South along 200 East in Salt Lake City - is expected to be one of the next to shut down.

Most recently, the 156-unit Meadows Mobile Home Park in upscale Cottonwood Heights was cleared out to make way for large, upscale homes, and Midvale's 26-unit White Manor park is emptying for new townhomes.

For various reasons, some holdouts remain at both parks - five at the Meadows, three at White Manor. The Meadows was supposed to be cleared out by March 31; White Manor by June 20.

Many residents had to walk away from their homes because the structures couldn't be moved due to age - they don't meet standards in new parks - or because homeowners could not afford the cost of moving, which could total as much as $16,000.

And some, said Cottonwood Heights City Manager Lianne Stillman, are "borrowers who are upside-down in their loans. They've lived in their homes for 20 years and owe far more than the home is worth."

Stillman, along with Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore, met weekly with the Meadows residents for several months, devising a practical process to help with decision-making, mortgage intervention and negotiating with movers.

They also gathered broad-based community support and had significant financial assistance from the developer.

That process could become a model for the rest of the state.

Palmer DePaulis, executive director of the state's Department of Community and Culture, at Monday's meeting asked Stillman to put it to paper.

Next week, DePaulis plans to assemble a list of stakeholders - including lobbyists who weigh in on the side of real estate interests.

Later this month, the county Council of Governments will discuss short- and long-term solutions in greater detail. The issue will also be presented to the Utah League of Cities and Towns.

"The mobile home parks used to be out in the boondocks, but now they're extremely viable properties," Stillman said, adding that more closings are anticipated.

DePaulis agreed.

"This is a big issue that will face all of us. We need to pull together with some political will," he said.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com