Allowing Seeno to break the city's own application process opens the city of Concord to a potential lawsuit. We, "Having three children played a large part in our decision on where to buy. The fraud happened during the housing downturn so the Seenos could maintain large lines of credit. We very much appreciate owning a Seeno built home and would not hesitate to purchase another one. Who let the Seenos into Pittsburg and why havent they all been kicked out of Pittsburg and other places long ago? Discovery Sales was prosecuted as a company. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? As part of that settlement, the developers promised to build the homes back a ways from property lines so they would be less visible from the eventual parkland. Located throughout the Bay Area with all the latest amenities. According to Clement, Throughout the East Bay, residents have worked hard to protect our ridges and views, and to defend our parks. Contra Costa County Superior Judge Edward G. Well ruled last week that the citys environmental review of the project was inadequate because it failed to assess how so many houses would impact water supply, air quality and nearby plant life, according to a statement from Save Mount Diablo. One hears horror stories when buying a home where workmanship is poor and the builder does not stand behind their mission statement. In order to support the functionality of our website and to tailor our ads to match your likely interests, we and our service providers collect information about your use of this site. Because Discovery Sales holds no assets as the sales arm of the Seeno company, the millions will be paid by Seeno personally and through his other business interests, attorneys said. Even thought they had a number at main office to call. Building in the wildland urban interface would create new wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting services. On March 30, 2021, Save Mount Diablo filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Pittsburg's approval of the Seeno-owned Discovery Builders' 1,650-unit Faria project, on the ridgeline between . Come home and relax at Makenna located in picturesque Petaluma. NewHomeSource.com is a trademark of Builders Digital Experience, LLC and all other marks are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. About 55% of the land would be preserved as open space, and the golf courses clubhouse would be converted into a community center. Save Mount Diablos lawsuit challenges the February 22, 2021 approval of the Faria project by the Pittsburg City Council. 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Among other flaws, the EIR lacks adequate analysis of numerous impacts, including biological resources, water supply, wildfire, traffic, and land use. Compare and save your favorite communities and floorplans with MyDeNova. As a result, rare habitat for special status species would be lost. Your email address will not be published. I would tread lightly here. DeNova Homes reserves the right to make changes in price, material, and specifications without notice and without liability for such changes. He previously reported in Contra Costa County and before joining the Bay Area News Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara. In 2019, Fullerton agreed to pay $18 million to buy 24 acres from the project owner, preserving a part of the project as open space andeliminating 76 homes from the development. Argentina. Pursuant to the plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to the lead conspiracy count, which encompassed the conduct alleged in the remaining counts. The Faria project violates Pittsburgs General Plan, state planning and zoning law, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As part of the deal, Seeno promised to build a recreation center in Pittsburg. By far the Worst company I have ever had the displeasure of working for!! Discovery Builders recently settled a lawsuit it had filed last year against the East Bay Regional Park District to stop the Navys transfer of nearby land for the creation of a new park. Please click "I Accept" to acknowledge our policy and the use of this information to help operate our site and for analytics, personalization and advertising purposes. A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Concord-based developer Albert Seeno III against the East Bay Regional Parks District, which hopes to build a new park at the former Concord Naval Weapons. Developer Albert Seeno III walks outside the Federal Courthouse after pleading guilty to bank fraud on behalf of his home sales company, Discovery Sales, in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Dec.. The location is great, close to shopping centers, grocery stores, BART, park and ride, gas stations, and the freeway. Last year, the Seeno team settled a separate lawsuit with the East Bay Regional Park District, which contended the Faria homes would disrupt views of the hills, which can be seen from the Concord Naval Weapons Station. The Seeno family of development companies wants to build 1,650 homes in the hills that overlook the Concord Naval Weapons Station. However, any sentence would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Three Bay Area men, including justice reform activist, plead guilty in Norteo RICO murder case, Californias hardest to book campground isnt in a famous park. Carey Hendrickson and Jason Sterlino, sales managers for Seeno properties, were previously charged. We have been building quality homes since the formation of Seeno Homes by Albert D. Seeno, Sr in 1938. They are also in other counties ruining them step by step. Part of the councils decision stemmed from a desire to proceed with the project after a long dormancy. Faria Land Investors, a Seeno/Discovery Builders associate, wants to build some 1,500 homes clustered in the valleys in the southwest Pittsburg hills, which overlook the former Concord Naval . Ask Our Sales Reps How You Can Customize Your Own Incentive! Contact Information Customer Contact Ms. Nancy McMillin, Executive Assistant Additional Contact Information Phone Numbers (888) 414-6637. If the incentives appeared in the bank loan files, Shahid explained, the loan underwriters would likely reject the loans. It also failed to discuss appropriate alternatives. If client had a home to sell, we had to keep that on the move. Drives you hard and doesn't pay what you expect. The family of builders has earned a reputation for engaging in drawn-out legal battles against public agencies and environmental groups, though the companies have also fostered a strong relationship with local labor unions. Northern California is the perfect region. The only con I can think of is we work every weekend and our time off is limited. The city approved an agreement with Seeno that established guidelines for a permanent greenbelt buffer along the inner edges of the boundary. A.D. Seeno Construction Co. Community Homes Sales, Inc. The districts board of directors approved the parks land-use plan and associated environmental impact report on July 7, paving the way for development of the more than 2,540-acre regional park. In a plea deal accepted by the judge on Thursday, Seeno III agreed to pay $3 million in restitution toFannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two taxpayer-sponsored financial services companies, within 120 days. PITTSBURG A judge has dealt a major blow to the developers of a massive housing project planned for a scenic ridgeline in the Pittsburg hills, delivering at least a temporary victory for the group of environmentalists who sued to stop it. More than 325 Seeno and Discovery homes, exceeding $200 million in sales, were used in the scheme, resulting in an estimated $75 million loss to Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase banks. Signup for an myClientName account today and start saving your favorites, view personalized recommendations and more. There was always a monetary carrot dangling for a select few that didn't apply to everyone else. In December 2016, he entered a guilty plea to bank fraud on behalf of his company and agreed to pay a $11 million fine. CEQA requires legally adequate environmental review, consideration of appropriate alternatives, and implementation of mitigations to reduce impacts. Looking for a new home? The overall vibe is a somber place to work. He has been tracking rents and home prices, and has explored solutions to critical problems such as Southern Californias housing shortage and affordability crisis. Lennar wants just compensation for business losses caused by La Habras alleged delay tactics, fees for studies and for an illegal taking, or the virtual appropriation of private property. Is the vulgar anti-Tesla sign on my neighbors truck illegal? The FBI investigation into the Seeno family companies started six years ago and led to indictments for former employees, but the family members themselves escaped prosecution for the scheme. Ft. 1 - 2 Bed 1 - 2 Bath. If we were to reverse course today, Im not sure how many people, given what happened to Lennar would be willing to come in and participate in a process with Concord, Guy Bjerke, the citys economic development director, said about the prospect of rejecting Seeno and rebooting the search for a master developer. As part of the agreement passed Tuesday, the council wont be allowed to take political donations from employees of the development teams or their subcontractors. The owner of the company might pop into your community occasionally but he is always really humble and tries to blend like a regular buyer. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Just as Pittsburg residents criticized the Faria development, Concord residents last year took the council to task for handing the citys future to the Seeno companies. The best aspects about working for Seeno was the income that you could achieve. This is what has become known as a builder bailout scheme. Former Discovery Sales Vice President Ayman Shahid and sales executive Carey Hendrickson also pleaded guilty andare awaiting sentencing. From 2006 to 2008, when Shahid was DSIs vice president, buyers with little or no money of their own were induced to purchase homes at prices that were inflated through the use of financial incentives. Inspiring cities. Shahids plea agreement explained that it was important to the scheme to maintain inflated property values because if the home and property values dropped, the value of the collateral would drop and the line of credit would be put at risk. Luminescence at Liberty is DeNova Homes' newest 55 + Active Adult gated community in Rio Vista, California. Aside from their favorite agents everyone else was treated like dirt. At the time, Lennar Corp was the master developer of the project, having beaten out Seeno for the job. Neither of these have started yet. Official websites use .gov During the entire time I was there, I never met the HR Manager. No regard/plan for customer service. Open space, habitat for wildlife, and the communitys scenic views have won the day, and poorly planned development will not go forward, for now. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. There will be people who wont be happy until every inch of undeveloped land had houses and traffic. Those units represent approximately 60,000 new car trips per day that will soon impact local roads and Highway 4. This is our third home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno. We make a lot more than I thought I would make. The City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. So where is the personal responsibility?. I really enjoyed the office culture, as my space was my space. Everything is professional and team building. The Seeno family has seen its share of controversies during the years as their businesses and land-holdings grew. Here's what real homebuyers have to say about their experience building a new construction home with Seeno Homes. The park project, which will include miles of trails, campgrounds and a visitor center, is the product of years of community advocacy and partnership among the park district, U.S. Navy, National Park Service and the city of Concord. This rating has decreased by -3% over the last 12 months. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence. The final vote to formally approve Seeno might happen this October. The company was also placed on probation for five years, which gives the federal government another way to ensure payments are made, Hemann said. Councilman Edi Birsan, who vigorously defended the Seeno family at the August meeting from what he called personal attacks, said Tuesday he doesnt expect the companies history of litigation to be a factor in the naval weapons project. driving a golf cart and free Biscotti cookies at the office. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? They constantly humiliated employees by putting up charts in the meeting rooms and ranking them so that everyone could ridicule them. Their manifest goal is to ensure that no one else obtains the same benefits they enjoy as residents of La Habra, the lawsuit said. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. The courts decision says to developers: You dont get to kick the can down the road. Log in. Dennis Lund: George Zimmermans Oxbow Incident. Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism. Seeno Homes House 6communities Discovery Homes and Seeno Homes are honored to be one of the top home builders in Northern California year after year. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? If you are interested in a career with DeNova Homes, please send us an email hr@denovahomes.com with a copy of your resume to inquire about open positions and opportunities. NOW SELLING! Save Mount Diablo is simply trying to protect one of the East Bays most prominent and well-known ridgelines. The extensive grading would increase landslide risks and degrade creeks and streams. Oh and can you say MICRO-MANAGE?! The city council ignored hundreds of letters and public comments that opposed the project. In voting to give Seeno the right to redevelop the site, council members made it clear theyre proceeding in good faith despite the companies track record of suing public agencies and fighting with environmental groups and housing advocates. There were four issues where, respectfully, we believe the Court overlooked key evidence in the record, said Kristina Lawson, a managing partner for the Hanson Bridgett, LLP. Verify your email to use filters. For more information on Pittsburg development plans, go to http://www.ci.pittsburg.ca.us/, For more on the planned Concord Hills Regional Park, go to https://www.ebparks.org/parks/concord_hills/default.htm. There are endangered species, threatened species in this park, but the data on them is outdated, he said. This is a major victory for Pittsburgs hills, Save Mount Diablo Land Conservation Director Seth Adams said in a statement. The EIR failed to provide an adequate project description, for example, by omitting information about the location of elements of the planned residential development and about related public services, such as water consumption rates. Further, DSI inflated the sale price of the new homes by offering significant cash and other incentives to new home buyers. Why havent the Seenos been kicked out of this area decades ago! It is refreshing to be an owner of a home from a company that not only builds quality homes, but also stands behind their product with a chain of personnel committed to having happy and satisfied homeowners. Despite a thorough environmental analysis of the new Regional Parks plans, which include public access for recreation, permanent preservation of the land as natural habitat, and a joint visitor center with the National Park Services that will also honor the Black sailors who died in the massive Port Chicago explosion, Mr. Seenos Discovery Builders and Faria Land Investors filed suit to stop the new regional park. Lennar also accused the city of demanding a $40 million development fee at one point, calling the levy unlawful and unrelated to any reasonable relationship to the citys services, the lawsuit said. Concord-based developer Albert Seeno III and Discovery Builders filed a lawsuit alleging the districts proposed Concord Hills Regional Park would negatively affect their planned residential development on an adjacent 606-acre plot. And the mitigation adopted for many impacts is plainly inadequate or ineffective. Red Tag Sales Event: Save up to $150,000 on Select Move-In Ready HomesFeb 15, 2023. East Bay native Malaika Fraley is an award-winning criminal justice reporter and formerly covered courts for the Bay Area News Group. Concord-based Seeno Construction Co., which has plans to build 152 homes on the site, received about $300 in fines from county code enforcement for illegally bulldozing the trees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Discovery and Seeno Homes is right for you. It is your responsibility to independently verify the information on the site. Last year, the city reached a dead end with former master developer Lennar Corp., which walked away after refusing to hire local labor for construction work. Traffic on Bailey Road, San Marco Blvd., and Highway 4 would be made much worse. This is the Discovery and Seeno Homes company profile. Commission and Bonus structure designed to benefit company more than employees, leaving you underpaid. Citizens approved the measure by a 75% margin. Judith Prieve is a reporter and editor for the Bay Area News Group who covers eastern Contra Costa County for the East Bay Times and The Mercury News. According to Shahids plea agreement that was unsealed today, DSI was created to sell new homes built by Discovery Builders Inc. (DBI), Albert D. Seeno Construction Co. Inc. (AD Seeno) and other entities affiliated with Albert Seeno III and the Seeno family. Letters and public comments that opposed the project, Having beaten out Seeno for seeno homes lawsuit. Concord to a potential lawsuit of credit: What should you do politics, developments activism! Workmanship is poor and the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA ):! Decision stemmed from a desire to proceed with the project, Having beaten out Seeno for the job so. It is your responsibility to independently verify the Information on the site Pittsburgs General Plan, state and... 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