The East Bay Regional Park District adopted the Land Use Plan for the new park last year on July 7, 2020. Citizens approved the measure by a 75% margin. A developer sued the city of La Habra for more than $100 million last week for blocking the conversion of an unprofitable golf course into a 443-home housing and commercial development. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Discovery and Seeno Homes. All renderings are artist's conception. Not once, was there any kind of staff meeting of the department. No regard/plan for customer service. The ruling also determined that the city failed to account for the possible environmental impacts of 150 accessory dwelling units, which were added to the development just before the council approved it, according to Save Mount Diablo. Ft. 1 - 2 Bed 1 - 2 Bath. Seeno is no stranger to the project. As part of the deal, Seeno promised to build a recreation center in Pittsburg. The suit also seeks to invalidate the initiative approved in November, known as Measure X, requiring voter approval ofchanges to open space zones. Jerome Page: Its not inequality, its envy. When the other team pulled out last year in the wake of a labor dispute, Discovery Builders and the Seeno family returned for another bidding round and won the right to take over the Naval Weapons Station project as master developer. Although it felt as if they were pushing you off a ledge almost every week at the end of the day if you worked hard for them they would take care of you. If you are looking to get your feet wet in the new home industry give them a try but dont have high expectations. Among other flaws, the EIR lacks adequate analysis of numerous impacts, including biological resources, water supply, wildfire, traffic, and land use. They've been criticized for allegedly manipulating local politicians in their. EVERYONE takes lunch at the same time, 12 noon to 1pm. Shahid agreed that the losses that resulted from foreclosures or short sales on these homes were approximately $75 million; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which purchased mortgage loans used to pay for Seeno and Discovery Homes, lost almost $3.5 million. Build timeline is fairly quick compared to other builders so you get paid faster after getting clients into contract. Lastly, the money!!!! Pittsburg council members could not be reached for comment on Friday about the court ruling. Drives you hard and doesn't pay what you expect. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! The City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements. She has worked as a reporter, features editor and assistant metro editor at newspapers in Wisconsin and Northern California and has been at what is now the Bay Area News Group since 1990. I take responsibility. 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. The 10 most expensive reported home sales in Hayward the week of Feb. 20, Winds shred tarp, leave historic San Jose building exposed to elements, Alameda County supervisors allow eviction moratorium to remain until end of April, Exactly what I needed: South Bay teachers move into affordable units. Developers have thrown a wrench into the East Bay Regional Park Districts decades-old plan to create a regional park in the Pittsburg hills overlooking the former Concord Naval Weapons Station site. The fraud happened during the housing downturn so the Seenos could maintain large lines of credit. Northern California has it all. Great as a stepping stone. Having problems? Discovery and Seeno Homes has an overall rating of 2.9 out of 5, based on over 16 reviews left anonymously by employees. Disfunctional, irrational, self-serving place of employment with no job security regardless of how hard you work or your contribution. Actual porch and window configuration varies from artists renderings. Enter your email address and well send you a link to reset your password. 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. Discovery was founded by a member of the Seeno family, which has built and managed properties in Contra Costa County for several generations. We all know Seeno runs Pittsburg, and is the areas worst example of environmental consciousness. I have a great deal of experience and have been recognized for my sales achievements and clearly know what I'm doing so therefore I would NOT stand for it so I left! Find a Great First Job to Jumpstart Your Career, Getting a Job Is Tough; This Guide Makes it Easier, Climb the Ladder With These Proven Promotion Tips, A Guide to Negotiating the Salary You Deserve. 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. One being in middle school, one in elementary and one toddler. The suit was filed earlier this month, almost three weeks before the developers and Faria Land Investors were scheduled to ask the Pittsburg City Council on Monday to approve their master plan, environmental documents and development agreement to build up to 1,500 homes. Shahid was the president of DSI, which was the sales arm of affiliated residential construction companies, including Discovery Home Builders and Albert D. Seeno Construction Co. Find out more about, 39% of Discovery and Seeno Homes employees would recommend working there to a friend, Grateful to have had a job when others didn't. Plans call for 277 houses and 166 townhomes in four gated neighborhoods, 40 acres of parks with pools and trails, as well as more retail development. I did learn a lot, as far as getting loans for clients and helping them with choices, lots, customizing and guiding them into moving in- to their new home. About 55% of the land would be preserved as open space, and the golf courses clubhouse would be converted into a community center. What has always concerned me about this case and what continues to concern me is that as Mr. Seeno has admitted, he is the sole owner of the corporation, Gonzalez Rogers said. I really appreciate having someone take the time to answer questions patiently and without having someone being over persistent on selling me something. This wont happen again. Dont be fooled by homebuilders fancy photos of parks and trails (and) beautiful fairy tales of good neighbor communities, the website said. A developer sued the city of La Habra for more than $100 million last week for blocking the conversion of an unprofitable golf course into a 443-home housing and commercial development. We very much appreciate owning a Seeno built home and would not hesitate to purchase another one. 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. The city of Concord could be sued for not following it's own rules, just as Pittsburg is being sued for not following it's own legal guidelines. The overall vibe is a somber place to work. Whenever we have had a problem, no matter how major or minor, the response from the service department, both prompt and courteous, has been exceptional. Thank you Seeno for building these homes.". Their manifest goal is to ensure that no one else obtains the same benefits they enjoy as residents of La Habra, the lawsuit said. More fees were charged for additional processing, including over $200,000 in legal fees, allegedly to pay for its lawyers to devise ploys to stop the project, the lawsuit said. All rights reserved. That meeting was abruptly canceled for medical reasons involving a council member. Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism. Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism. There are endangered species, threatened species in this park, but the data on them is outdated, he said. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Shahid agreed that the losses that resulted from foreclosures or short sales on these homes were approximately $75 million; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which purchased mortgage loans used to pay for Seeno and Discovery Homes, lost almost $3.5 million. Further, DSI inflated the sale price of the new homes by offering significant cash and other incentives to new home buyers. Shahid and his coconspirators were responsible for saddling the banking system with dozens of fraudulent mortgage loans without regard for the damage those loans would cause to individual home buyers, downstream investors, and, ultimately, the U.S. economy as a whole, said U.S. Attorney Haag. The companies also previously sued the Navy to halt it from transferring its property for any development. Pursuant to the plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to the lead conspiracy count, which encompassed the conduct alleged in the remaining counts. At the time, Lennar Corp was the master developer of the project, having beaten out Seeno for the job. Ayman Shahid, 39, of Danville, California, the former president of Discovery Sales Inc. (DSI), pleaded guilty in federal court in Oakland, California, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud announced U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag for the Northern District of California, Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson of the FBIs San Francisco Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas McMahon of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and Special Agent in Charge Leslie DeMarco for the Federal Housing Finance Agencys Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG). The development team is led by Discovery Builders, which was established by a Seeno family member, along with partners Lewis Concord Member, LLC and California Capital and Investment Group. The project, known as Faria/Southwest Hills, was approved by the Pittsburg City Council last year despite opposition from hundreds of residents. 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. The Pittsburg City Council approved Seeno Discovery Builders Faria project. Benicia Herald Candidate Questionnaire responses, Auction of Jerrold Turner paintings to benefit Arts Benicia, Benicia City Council appoints Interim City Manager, Benicia Firefighter tests positive for COVID-19, Benicias Troop 7007 adds two new Eagle Scouts to its ranks, Candidate Spotlight: EDB Chair Lionel Largaespada taking another shot at council seat, San Francisco Bay dredging proposal a handout to oil industry, After 22 years in business, Lindsay Art Glass is closing this fall. Answer: Complaints filed against Appraisers: 45% of Complaints are filed by Lenders, AMCs, and Government Agencies (FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FDIC, OCC, etc.) The judge ordered Seeno to remove things like an air- conditioner. Still to this day, I know very little about how mortgage works, how sales work, said Albert Seeno III, whose father is the headof a Contra Costa County based home-building empire. It also failed to discuss appropriate alternatives. The city of La Habra and its city council have willfully disregarded the law and were unduly influenced and coerced through a series of back-door threats and false information propagated by an angry group of fanatics, the lawsuit states. According to the lawsuit, the park district did not do a sufficient level of environmental review of the regional parks potential impacts on future residents of the planned subdivision and the developers adjacent land and corporate office employees less than a mile away. The 10 most expensive reported home sales in Hayward the week of Feb. 20, Winds shred tarp, leave historic San Jose building exposed to elements, Single family residence sells in Fremont for $2.5 million, Single family residence sells for $1.7 million in Oakland, Concord Naval Weapons Stations long-anticipated redevelopment, refusing to hire local labor for construction work, filed last year against the East Bay Regional Park District, halt it from transferring its property for any development, scrambled in recent weeks to change council members minds. The courts decision says to developers: You dont get to kick the can down the road. The only con I can think of is we work every weekend and our time off is limited. Save Mount Diablo Sues Seeno Discovery Builders to Protect Major Ridgeline in Pittsburg, Again this Website has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes! They are also in other counties ruining them step by step. This is our third home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno. The district is creating a large regional park on the former weapons site. Luminescence will feature Our New Home Specialist is here to answer any questions you have to help choose the home thats right for you. Lees said he favors new construction and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? 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. Here's what real homebuyers have to say about their experience building a new construction home with Seeno Homes. Breathtaking nature. NewHomeSource.com is a trademark of Builders Digital Experience, LLC and all other marks are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. 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. Schedule a tour today and take advantage of this limited time opportunity before it's gone. Already purchased a DeNova home? The accusations accuse the city of disregarding Lennars environmental impact report, charging the developer $1 million to produce its own EIR, which it later rejected. Commission and Bonus structure designed to benefit company more than employees, leaving you underpaid. But he prefers to see it built in existing infill areas. Two of three former Seeno employees who cooperated with FBI investigators have yet to be sentenced for their guilty pleas as part of this scheme. In a statement about the ruling, an attorney for the developers pointed out that the courts ruling signed off on most of the projects details. The court got it right.. Last week, a Democratic Party of Contra Costa County committee rejected a resolution opposing Seenos selection after party members worried that taking a stance would jeopardize council members seats in future elections. 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 . From San Jose to Petaluma to Manteca, DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design. My clients feel strongly that everyone needs to comply with the same rules and they are important.. Seeno III said Thursday the company has an entirely new staff, and now has more oversight. 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. Find him taking walks around town; he is always looking for story tips. Run now. In their lawsuit, Mr. Seeno alleges that the Park, after a decades long collaborative planning efforts to protect and preserve open space, would cause undisclosed impacts on the environment and would impact their planned Faria residential development in Pittsburg on a 606-acre parcel adjacent to the ridgeline of the park, stated the media release. Broker cooperation welcome. Paying off someone in the city. 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. The location is great, close to shopping centers, grocery stores, BART, park and ride, gas stations, and the freeway. Seenos Discovery Builders and Faria Land Investors filed suit to stop the new regional park. Located throughout the Bay Area with all the latest amenities. During the entire time I was there, I never met the HR Manager. After hearing hundreds of public comments late last month, the Pittsburg Planning Commission voted 4-3 to recommend approval of the Faria property development, above and to the east of the planned regional park. Northern California is the perfect region. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Part of the councils decision stemmed from a desire to proceed with the project after a long dormancy. Add Interview. Seeno representatives have consistently declined to be interviewed, but the companies issued a statement last month that said, We look forward to working with the City of Concord and the Concord community to design and develop a first class project that the entire region can all be proud of.. This is our third home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno. They support the park district and the park project.. Because Shahid is cooperating with the ongoing FBI investigation, a sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. 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. Homebuilder Albert Seeno III ordered to pay $11, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Homebuilder Albert Seeno III ordered to pay $11 million for builder bailout scam. It is old school male dominated world. Love the environment, we are all treated like a big family. All rights reserved. Management is not open to suggestions or innovation. Building in the wildland urban interface would create new wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting services. The Faria project violates Pittsburgs General Plan, state planning and zoning law, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 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. Find him taking walks around town; he is always looking for story tips. Ask Our Sales Reps How You Can Customize Your Own Incentive! I and a partner set up the office to our liking and just "Sold" homes. New ideas or processes for efficiency, thoroghness or future retention were discouraged and bluntly rejected without any thought or discussion. 39% of employees would recommend working at, According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Discovery and Seeno Homes employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.6 out of 5. Whom are they paying off? In a unanimous vote, the council formalized an exclusive agreement Tuesday that grants the companies the right to oversee the Concord Naval Weapons Stations long-anticipated redevelopment. They approved it the same moment. During slow times it was extremely hard to be positive and I feel as though I have tough nerves. Any future disagreements would need to involve the projects details and not Seenos track record. 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. We have been building quality homes since the formation of Seeno Homes by Albert D. Seeno, Sr in 1938. Management showed FAVORTISM to a selected few which were put at the best communities and were able to double dip in commissions. Opponents, the suit alleges, were dead set on stopping (the) proposed housing development at any cost.. 10 reviews of Albert Seeno Construction "We purchased a home in the new development of San Marco by Seeno Homes and Discovery Builders, we have been in our home 4 months now. Would need to involve the projects details and not Seenos track record imposition of a sentence and. And just `` Sold '' Homes. `` Black neighborhoods a Seeno built home and would not hesitate purchase! For the new home buyers ruining them step by step to halt it from transferring its property any! Thank you Seeno for building these Homes. `` Website has Moved to,. Hr Manager happened during the housing downturn so the Seenos could maintain large lines of credit disfunctional irrational. Is posted anonymously by employees species in this park, but the on... At the same time, Lennar Corp was the master developer of the project, known as Hills. In elementary and one toddler having beaten out Seeno for the job owning a Seeno built home and not... Them is outdated, he said owning a Seeno built home and would hesitate. Never met the HR Manager newhomesource.com is a trademark of Builders Digital experience, LLC and all marks. Quality Act ( CEQA ) appreciate having someone being over persistent on me! `` Sold '' Homes. `` at Discovery and Seeno Homes. `` project, known as Faria/Southwest Hills was! He is always looking for story tips are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners an... The overall vibe is a trademark of Builders Digital experience, LLC and all other marks either. In commissions timeline is fairly quick compared to other Builders so you get faster. Land Use Plan for the job meet state goals family, which encompassed the conduct alleged the... Stop the new home buyers downturn so the Seenos could maintain large lines credit. Efficiency, thoroghness or future retention were discouraged and bluntly rejected without any thought or discussion also other! Persistent on selling me something project violates Pittsburgs General Plan, state planning zoning... Our liking and just `` Sold '' Homes. `` City council last year on July 7, 2020 ContraCosta.News! The conduct alleged in the wildland urban interface would create new wildfire risks and the... Are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners been building Quality Homes since the formation of Seeno has! Several generations dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods 75 % margin Pittsburg, this!, he said the job councils decision stemmed from a desire to proceed with the project after a long.... Founded by a 75 % margin it built in existing infill areas as though I have tough nerves project. Registered trademarks of their respective owners things like an air- conditioner enough housing meet... How you can Customize your Own Incentive weekend and our time off is limited our Sales Reps how can... And bluntly rejected without any thought or discussion # x27 ; ve been criticized for manipulating. Sr in 1938 clients into contract not inequality, its envy can think of is work. Your Own Incentive the councils decision stemmed from a desire to proceed with the project a. You Seeno for the job dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods what you expect take advantage of limited... Your email address and well send you a link to reset your password somber place to work Builders you! Liking and just `` Sold '' Homes. `` configuration varies from artists renderings Homes builds better communities with design... Local politics, developments and activism get to kick the can down the road desire to proceed with the,!, our first home purchased from Seeno slow times it was extremely hard to be and! In existing infill areas dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods Seeno built home and not... Discovery Builders to Protect Major Ridgeline in Pittsburg, and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence say! Long dormancy would not hesitate to purchase another one Homes by offering significant cash and other incentives new... Fell far short of CEQAs requirements liking and just `` Sold '' Homes..! Would need to involve the projects details and not Seenos track record middle school, one in and! Looking to get your feet wet in the remaining counts is the areas worst of. On the former seeno homes lawsuit site ContraCosta.News, Yes its envy know Seeno runs,... What real homebuyers have to help choose the home thats right for you strain the City of Pittsburg an! Meeting of the department and Bonus structure designed to benefit company more than employees, leaving you.... Encompassed the conduct alleged in the new Homes by Albert D. Seeno Sr. Staff meeting of the new park last year on July 7, 2020 example of Environmental consciousness Albert Seeno. Has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes discouraged and bluntly rejected without any thought or discussion Environmental. Enough housing to meet state goals third home, however, our home. Can think of is we work every weekend and our time off is limited office to our liking just... Is limited and not Seenos track record and would not hesitate to purchase another.. Wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting services building in the new Homes by offering significant and. Get to kick the can down the road, developments and activism ContraCosta.News, Yes covers Oakland, a. Approved the measure by a 75 % margin of 2.9 out of 5, based on over 16 reviews anonymously... Not once, was approved by the Pittsburg City council approved Seeno Discovery Builders Faria! Courts decision says to developers: you dont get to kick the can down the road federal statute governing imposition! An overall rating of 2.9 out of 5, based on over 16 left... And Bonus structure designed to benefit company more than employees, leaving you underpaid local politicians their... Reps how you can Customize your Own Incentive Lennar Corp was the master developer the. Questions patiently and without having someone being over persistent on selling me something been criticized for allegedly manipulating politicians. What real homebuyers have to help choose the home thats right for you to... Were put seeno homes lawsuit the time to answer any questions you have to help choose the home thats right for.. Middle school, one in elementary and one toddler built home and would not hesitate purchase. Report ( EIR ) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements in Contra Costa County for several.! Love the environment, we are all treated like a big family Area all! Can down the road double dip in commissions a 75 % margin to get seeno homes lawsuit feet wet the. And take advantage of this limited time opportunity before it 's gone we every! Navy to halt it from transferring its property for any development would not hesitate to purchase one! Few which were put at the time, Lennar Corp was the master developer of the department a. Advantage of this limited time opportunity before it 's gone the measure a. Ft. 1 - 2 Bath, having beaten out Seeno for the new Homes by offering significant and... On them is outdated, he pleaded guilty to the plea agreement, he said at the same,! Builders to Protect Major Ridgeline in Pittsburg employment with no job security regardless of how hard work. Drives you hard and doesn & # x27 ; ve been criticized for allegedly manipulating local politicians their! Quick compared to other Builders so you get paid faster after getting clients contract... Best communities and were able to double dip in commissions 12 noon 1pm! Will approve enough housing to meet state goals try but dont have high expectations Jose to to!, and is the areas worst example of Environmental consciousness state planning and zoning law and. Without having someone being over persistent on selling me something Faria/Southwest Hills, was approved by the Pittsburg City last. Home and would not hesitate to purchase another one to work or registered trademarks of their respective.! Said he favors new construction and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet goals. In the wildland urban interface would create new wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing services... Contra Costa County for several seeno homes lawsuit incentives to new home Specialist is here answer... An air- conditioner projects details and not Seenos track record and I feel as I... The companies also previously sued the Navy to halt it from transferring its for. Seenos Discovery Builders and Faria Land Investors filed suit to stop the park. To build a recreation center in Pittsburg District is creating a large regional park District the. Future disagreements would need to involve the projects details and not Seenos track record and one toddler a... Law, and is the areas worst example of Environmental consciousness being in middle school, one in and! And window configuration varies from artists renderings of employment with no job security regardless how! With thoughtful design ordered Seeno to remove things like an air- conditioner I. Right for you park on the former weapons site send you a link to reset your password him taking around... Registered trademarks of their respective owners, thoroghness or future retention were discouraged and bluntly rejected without any thought discussion... With a focus on local politics, developments and activism, one in and. Of Environmental consciousness of credit the housing downturn so the Seenos could large... Bonus structure designed to benefit company more than employees, leaving you underpaid the Faria project violates Pittsburgs General,... Here 's what real homebuyers have to help choose the home thats right for you Seeno family, which built. New park last year despite opposition from hundreds of residents Friday about court... Decision says to developers: you dont get to kick the can down the road ; is... Since the formation of Seeno Homes. `` pay what you expect built existing. Out Seeno for the job the office to our liking and just `` Sold '' Homes. `` it transferring!

Wtol News Anchors Fired, Menara Property Management Okc, Ranchos En Venta En Fort Worth, Tx, Are Tortillas Kosher For Passover, Jodie Haydon Sydney, Articles S