BRADENTON BEACH – Dozens of evictions and title surrenders have thinned out the population at the 86-unit Pines Trailer Park, but those who remain participated in a settlement agreement in exchange for dropping a lawsuit against the park’s owners.
The lawsuit was filed on March 28 by the Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association Inc. against Pines Park Investors LLC in part to stop evictions and the park’s closure. Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas signed an order on Aug. 8 dismissing the suit pursuant to a confidential settlement agreement.
Pines residents reached by The Sun said they are unable to discuss settlement terms or a tentative park closure date as such disclosure risks nullifying the agreement.
“Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association, Inc. and Pines Park Investors LLC, the owner of Pines Trailer Park, are pleased to announce that they have reached a confidential settlement agreement. This agreement amicably resolves the litigation that was pending in the Manatee County Circuit Court,” HOA attorney David Fredericks wrote in an email to The Sun.
“Both parties have worked diligently to address and resolve their differences, and they are satisfied with the outcome. As the terms of the settlement are confidential, no further details that relate to the terms of the settlement will be disclosed.”
Davie, Florida-based attorney Shawn Arbeiter represented Pines Park Investors.
In January, the park ownership announced that the park would be closed on July 31. At least one Pines owner is advertising a rental through September. The final closure date has not been disclosed.
According to the Manatee County Clerk of Court website, 26 Pines homeowners were evicted from the park for non-payment of lot rental fees. Many homeowners maintained that they withheld lot rental payments due to the disrepair and lack of amenities following Hurricane Helene in 2024. Others turned over title to their mobile homes to park ownership to avoid eviction.
One former owner was not privy to the settlement agreement after having turned over title to multiple units to park owners.
“Unfortunately, we made the tough decision to just turn over all titles to Pines Park Investors, so we’re out of the loop now,” the former owner told The Sun on Aug. 13. “Our biggest heartbreak will be if we see them fixing up all the old units… and begin renting them out. That will be extremely heartbreaking.”
