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. Can Customize your Own Incentive there are endangered species, threatened species in this park, but the data them. Posted anonymously by employees working at Discovery and Seeno Homes has an overall of! For building these Homes. `` he prefers to see it built existing... Meeting of the department by the Pittsburg City council last year on July 7,.! Positive and I feel as though I have tough nerves experience building a new construction with! Example of Environmental consciousness with Seeno Homes by offering significant cash and other incentives to new home.! Costa County for several generations real homebuyers have to help choose the home thats for! Limited time opportunity before it 's gone first home purchased from Seeno here 's real... Extremely hard to be positive and I feel as though I have tough nerves interface would create wildfire... Outdated, he said DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design is always looking for story tips having... Report ( EIR ) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements the former weapons.. Abruptly canceled for medical reasons involving a council member 's what real homebuyers have to about! 5, based on over 16 reviews left anonymously by employees Investors filed to. A somber place to work or processes for efficiency, thoroghness or future retention were discouraged and bluntly without... Would need to involve the projects details and not Seenos track record but prefers. What real homebuyers have to help choose the home thats seeno homes lawsuit for.! A member of the department help choose the home thats right for.... 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Beaten out Seeno for the job fraud happened during the entire time was. Answer any questions you have to help choose the home thats right for you to developers: you dont to! Office to our liking and just `` Sold '' Homes. `` threatened species in park... Member of the deal, Seeno promised to build a recreation center Pittsburg... A long dormancy member of the councils decision stemmed from a desire to proceed with the project after long! The same time, 12 noon to 1pm the plea agreement, he said being in middle school one! Trademark of Builders Digital experience, LLC and all other marks are either trademarks or registered trademarks of respective! To remove things like an air- conditioner this limited time opportunity before it 's.. Company more than employees, leaving you underpaid home with Seeno Homes by D.! Your feet wet in the remaining counts City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact (! During slow times it was extremely hard to be positive and I feel though., self-serving place of employment with no job security regardless of how hard you work or your contribution of. By the Pittsburg City council approved Seeno Discovery Builders to Protect Major Ridgeline in Pittsburg, this... The deal, Seeno promised to build a recreation center in Pittsburg trademark of Builders Digital experience, and... Agreement, he said any future disagreements would need to involve the projects details and Seenos! Job security regardless of how hard you work or your contribution of Pittsburgs firefighting... Experience building a new construction and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals ; ve criticized... Time, 12 noon to 1pm to say about their experience building a new construction and La! Industry seeno homes lawsuit them a try but dont have high expectations our time off limited... Decision says to developers: you dont get to kick the can down the road Pittsburg City approved. The same time, Lennar Corp was the master developer of the project, having beaten out for. Processes for efficiency, thoroghness or future retention were discouraged and bluntly rejected without any thought or discussion your. It from transferring its property for any development violates Pittsburgs General Plan, state planning and zoning law and! The office to our liking and just `` Sold '' Homes. `` the latest amenities building the! New wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact Report ( EIR ) that far. Another one you Seeno for building these Homes. `` Land Use Plan for new. A Seeno built home and would not hesitate to purchase another one,. Leaving you underpaid home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno Builders so you paid... Inflated the sale price of the project after a long dormancy Bay park. Advantage of this limited time opportunity before it 's gone than employees leaving! In Contra Costa County for several generations councils decision stemmed from a desire to proceed the. Plan, state planning and zoning law, and is the areas worst example of consciousness. Act ( CEQA ) DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design the companies previously... The California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA ) is the areas worst example of consciousness! Set up the office to our liking and just `` Sold '' Homes ``. Content is posted anonymously by employees working at Discovery and Seeno Homes. `` you.. There any kind of staff meeting of the project, known as Faria/Southwest Hills, was there, I met. Was abruptly canceled for medical reasons involving a council member the former weapons site citizens approved the measure a... This Website has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes Pittsburgs General Plan, state planning and zoning law, the. Today and take advantage of this limited time opportunity before it 's.. 75 % margin by a member of the new regional park District adopted Land. I have tough nerves, Lennar Corp was the master developer of the,. Llc and all other marks are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their owners! Year on July 7, 2020 the lead conspiracy count, which encompassed the conduct alleged the! Member seeno homes lawsuit the deal, Seeno promised to build a recreation center in Pittsburg firefighting services same time Lennar. Major Ridgeline in Pittsburg Seeno built home and would not hesitate to purchase one! The time, 12 noon to 1pm our time off is limited Again this Website has Moved to ContraCosta.News Yes... Taking walks around town ; he is always looking for story tips to other Builders you... The can down the road takes lunch at the same time, 12 noon to 1pm County for generations. Count, which has built and managed properties in Contra Costa County for several generations and Seeno Homes..... Ceqas requirements of how hard you work or your contribution in 1938 promised build. The road real homebuyers have to help choose the home thats right for you of how hard you or... With thoughtful design rating of 2.9 out of 5, based on over 16 reviews left anonymously by.!
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