GERMAN FLATTS, N.Y. -- A group of people are fighting for their homes as part of a bitter battle with the town of German Flatts.
Owners of the Creekside Mobile Home Park are hoping to win a development permit to improve the property.
However, town officials say part of that property lies in a flood plain. Gravel under the mobile homes washed away during a flood in 2013. The owners took out a loan to put the homes on concrete slabs.
After the work was finished, the owners were cited by the town for not securing the proper permits. Owners have made several attempts to get a permit but those have been rejected by the town.
An emotional four hour public meeting was held Tuesday to discuss the issue.
While officials are pointing to the flood plain, the owners are questioning the reliability of the map that decision is based on. They claim their park is safe and residents don't have anywhere else to turn.
"I really don't know where these people would go," said William Jaquish, owner of Creekside Mobile Home Park. "They have in their, some of their affidavits, they had listed some of the places that these people could try and go to to place their homes and stuff, and it's, trust me, it's kind of a joke."
The owners' appeal to the town was rejected.
Town officials would not speak on camera.
Both sides are scheduled to be in court in September.