Thompson said the rental increases that took place at Shady Lakes would not have happened if they were within city limits because of the City of Fresnos rent control ordinances for mobile home parks. I noticed the model variation was wrong and voiced my concern. The new rules dont take this into consideration, one resident noted, adding They are also on a fixed Social Security income. $(document).keydown(function(e){ Use of editorial content without permission is strictly prohibited. All rights Reserved. Grupo Comunitario De San Miguel Cuevas vs. Harmony Communities, Inc. Alliance Manufactured Homes, Inc. vs Madrone Estates, LLC et al. Over the past two years, the . Photo by Edward Smith. A complaint was filed with the California Public Utilities Commission that the increases were not in line with actual costs. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Rancho Santa Fe Review. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Harmony Communities. DocketPayment received by Donna Braxton in the amount of $435.00. 2011 - CRLA Web design: LaserCom Design, San Francisco Photos by David Bacon & CRLA archives, ABOUT USMission & VisionBoard of DirectorsVictories Jobs & IntershipsVideosContact Us 2017 - CRLAWeb design: LaserCom Design, San FranciscoPhotos by David Bacon & CRLA archives, SUPPORT USDonateEventsCy Pres AwardProBono AssistanceFoundation & GrantsVolunteer, RESOURCESCOVID-19En EspaolCRLA NewsPress ReleasesPublicationsMedia, Visit CRLA.org for all our latest news & information, Visite CRLA.org para conocer nuestras ltimas noticias e informacin. Proof of Service of Summons as to Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation served on 11/16/2020 by Substituted Service. WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin, Copyright 2023 The Business Journal. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. DocketHearing regarding: Jury Trial Assignment (est 7-10 days), set for 07/25/2022 at 1:30 PM before Hon. West. Snowfall reaches 15 feet in some areas of Yosemite National Park, At least 36 dead, 66 injured after trains collide in Greece: officials, Neighbors help each other during power outage in Madera County. In a recent letter to residents, the company said the increases will bring the average monthly rent to $650. Our residents include retirees as well as hardworking families, and it is our honor to serve them by building and maintaining safe, affordable communities. No tenants have given notice to move out since we took over the community, and none have asked for rent accommodations due to hardship, the emailed statement said. For a resident who was paying $395 a month for a site, they are now paying $690, not including water and trash, which at one time was included in the price to keep a home at the park. We welcome all types of volunteers. And a notice given to a resident at Shady Lakes in January shows that rent will rise to $628 starting this April, a 72 percent increase over the past few years. Retail The letter stated it was because the park was not profitable and a city ordinance had kept them from increasing rent, according to the Marin Independent Journal. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Request for Dismissal filed by Braxton, Donna. Turnover is very low because moving is so expensive. Action Type: Summons - Civil; Judge: Ross, Roger. "Then when that happens, rent tends to be lower. (209) 932-8747 Harmony Communities Profile and History Based in Stockton, California, Harmony Communities owns and operates thirty premier manufactured home communities in California and Oregon, and sees tiny homes as both an affordable and functional solution to California's housing crisis. The owner of Shady Lakes LLC is Bruce Davies, the same owner of Harmony Communities. She's representing residents at The Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in a lawsuit filed in 2020 against Harmony Communities that cites a 32 increase. What the residents want for Harmony Communities is to stop a number of unlawful business practices.. Attorney, Sanjay Bansal, retained for Donna Braxton . Additionally, Harmony Communities allegedly didnt maintain the common areas at the mobile home park in good condition. Many received notices saying they could be evicted from the park for reasons such as leaving things on the porch or having Christmas lights up. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. DocketProof of Service of Summons as to Matthew Davies served on 12/02/2020 by Substituted Service. 2021-10-22, Butte County Superior Courts | Labor | The Bee interviewed nine residents, all of whom said theyve been hit with significant rent increases by the new owners. }); Some residents believe the rental increases that occurred shortly after the complaint was filed were retaliatory. Thompson described the rules as impermissible, and said the management company issued notices to residents in violation of those rules. Measures included including a third travel lane for the entirety of Country Club Drive, fuel modification zones on site and ignition resistant construction. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. Harmony Communities spokesperson Heywood Jablom issued the following statement: Shady Lakes has completed close $1,000,000 in repairs and upgrades to the park over the last 4 years, including water and sewer systems upgrades as well as numerous road and lighting repairs. Rancho Santa Fe resident Laurel Lemarie, a member of the San Dieguito Planning Group that recommended denial of both projects, presented a petition of 923 signatures opposed to the county allowing a high density of homes where rural or semi-rural zoning now exists. The dispute hinges on what kind of homes are there. The impending closure, the. DocketHearing regarding: Case Management Conference , set for 05/04/2021 at 8:30 AM before Hon. Hospitality , He added that Shady Lakes is available for purchase. Vote for The Fresno Bee prep girls Athlete of the Week for Feb. 20-25, Employee, student sue Fresno State and CSU over handling of harassment claims, Brewery District pioneer in Fresno opens new taproom. Yet this group of four supervisors choked and did not have the political will when they had the tool and the chance to require housing the average North County resident could afford, Arsivaud said. Founded in 1966, CRLAs mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. Harmony Communities, the Stockton-based owner of the Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in Fresno County, have raised rents nearly 100% for some residents since purchasing the park four years ago. George Antypas, Harmony Communities' regional manager, defended the rent increase, saying in a statement that median home prices in Golden are almost $800,000, while the average manufactured . A meeting was held in May 2022 by the CPUC to hear the matter. The Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council has initiated litigation against the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for its approval of the Harmony Grove Village South and Valiano housing projects. BBB is here to help. An attorney representing the residents said the case highlights the disparity in housing protections faced by mobile home residents. There is no way to reverse the rent, said Thompson. The just-purchased . Residents say the proprietor, Harmony Communities of Stockton, is seeking steep increases at the neighborhood, which is at 742 Francisco Blvd. Plaintiffs counsel has a history of violating court orders and exhibiting unethical behavior. Things are getting desperate in this remote, mountainous community in far Northern California, where cannabis is king the economy, the culture, the everything. The community suffered two destructive fires in April and June of 2021. With 42 communities and over 10,000 sites across North America, we have what you're looking for! Lawsuits are now being filed on behalf of Elmiron patients who suffered permanent retinal injuries and seek to recover money for physical and mental anguish, medical expenses and more. CRLA, Inc. is not responsible for any third-party content that may be accessed through this site. Case Management Statement filed by Davies, Matthew; Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation. Why is this public record being published online? The company was also involved in a controversial 2018 RV park rent hike in San Leandro, which does not have rent control. Replacing a laundry room or a lamp post may be expensive, but usually those rent increases will be temporary until the improvement has been paid off. Judge: Ross, Roger. She said the management has also raised prices on other services, such as for renting parking spaces at the parks exterior boundary. The next court hearing is on March 30. A bar lauded for downtown Fresno revitalization has sold to new owners. This story was originally published February 12, 2020, 9:47 AM. Harmony Communities did not respond to requests for comment. The residents attorney reported the sewage odor to the Central Valley Regional Water Board in June and July 2019. Some are buying less food, not using electricity, cutting services, shopping for clothes less often. Corporate Headquarters: Banking and Finance Thompson said residents buying the park would be a win-win. Judge: Ross, Roger. On 03/24/2021 Harmony Communities, Inc filed an Other lawsuit against Phillip Rocha. They speak Mixteco. "I thought it was a mobile home park.". There are 14 claims on the complaint, including accusations of retaliation against members of the community association and to maintain a water treatment system on the premises. DocketHearing Result: Vacated Judge: Waters, Robert T.. DocketCase status updated to Disposed. Further California law does not require the translation of documents to a language other than English.. Not only were they told, they were also given several bank statements which clearly showed a monthly payment to the **** The lender declined the loan. West. It quickly became clear living conditions were unsafe. Epstein said the ordinance does cover the neighborhood and the proposed increase in rents violates the provisions of that ordinance., Epstein cited previous litigation involving the property and the city. The complaint outlines the unlawful behavior Harmony Communities uses to control and intimidate families living in the Park and alleges that Harmony Communities is in violation of state and federal laws including the Fair Housing Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Unfair Competition Law, the Business and Professions Code, and the Mobile Home Residency Law. The attorney, Mariah C. Thompson, works with California Rural Legal Assistance. In late 2020, Harmony Communities made water and trash utilities payments separate. Its about whether or not theyre going to be there for one more month, said Mariah Thompson, lead attorney for the community association Grupo Comunitario de San Miguel Cuevas and staff attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance. As of late January, developers filed 26 applications to build 8,642 new homes under California's three-decade-old builder's remedy provision, setting aside 1,795 of those as low-income units. In a statement to The Bee, company representatives denied many of the residents claims. Mason said other tenants are more hesitant to speak out than she is, fearing retaliation in the form of even steeper rent hikes. Harmony Communities, Inc., (Harmony) a Stockton-based corporation that operates more than twenty mobile home parks throughout California and Oregon, took over Shady Lakes in April 2018. Thompson was told via email that because of the lawsuit, they wouldnt send notices in Spanish. A $20 service fee was added at the beginning of 2021. City of Fresno officials declined to comment about whether they would or wouldn't support the sale to Harmony Communities. According to a new federal lawsuit in Wisconsin, a rogue board member of Harmony "and unknown persons acting in concert with him," has led efforts to break away, and take many Society assets. In San Rafael in 2022, Harmony Communities sent notices to residents that they were closing the park. She's representing residents at The Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in a lawsuit filed in 2020 against Harmony Communities that cites a 32 increase. I went back to Anita and she only wanted to argue that I was at fault and she did nothing wrong. A case management conference is scheduled in court for this case on April 22, according to court records. The park has been operating at a loss for several years and has been fighting to keep this park open so no resident will have to move, the letter stated. The company quickly proved the Golden Hills residents' fears correct, applying 50-percent rent increases and issuing a 12-page single-spaced list of new park rules. What will change? Action Type: Case Management Statement; Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Case Management Statement filed by Braxton, Donna. At a time when local news is more important than ever, support from our readers is essential. Residents asked not to be identified by name in the lawsuit and also asked not to be named in this story over concerns of retaliation and possible eviction. $0.00. addresses all significant issues raised by the complainant, includes appropriate evidence and documents supporting the business' position, and. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. DocketRequest for Dismissal filed by Braxton, Donna. We are not asking the tenants to move. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. The County General Plan requires that whenever a large General Plan amendment project is proposed, an affordable housing element must be included. He insists the changes being made are necessary to prevent another tragedy at the park. Davies received a five-year prison sentence in the marijuana case, which received national attention. Marketing The residents attorney also said conditions at the park did not justify the significant rent hike. Thompson also represents the rent control group of residents at that mobile home park. Donna Braxton vs Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation et al. Insurance Transmission and receipt of the information in this site is not intended to solicit or create, and does not create, any attorney-client relationship between CRLA, Inc. and any person or entity. One of Thompsons clients is 80 years old, making $800 a month and paying $700 in rent. Disclaimer: This website is not intended to provide nor does it provide legal advice. They will do everything they need to do in order to pay the rent, Thompson said. DocketAttorney, Sanjay Bansal, retained for Donna Braxton . Last summer, the mobile home park came under the authority of Fresno officials, instead of the state. Decision making is done collectively. The company said it has issued cleanliness notices to four residents, to keep their porches clean and sanitary. Why is this public record being published online? The Central Valley Regional Water Board cited the park owners for 31 violations over their waste discharge requirements, according to the lawsuit. The first hearings were supposed to begin this month, but both parties agreed to a six month-extension. A plaintiff can make any allegations they like, but that does not make them true. Affordable Communities Harmony Communities owns and operates premier manufactured housing communities in the western United States. It is our goal to keep future rent increases in line with inflation. 2020-08-06, Fresno County Superior Courts | Personal Injury | She recently received the 2018 Journalistic Integrity award from the CACJ. Harmony also implemented oppressive, unreasonable rules in the park. Residents are prohibited from having anything outside of their home except barbeques, patio furniture, and bicycles. Healthcare They'd need to hold a vote with participation from each of the park's 60 units, with a majority voting to move forward with the plan to collectively purchase the property. Construction With the batching, the board approved three GPA projects on July 25 for a total of 3,937 new housing units in the county. Shady Lakes said the company provides some of the most affordable housing in the area. The only good thing is they are willing to give us our money back to leave the contract. And in a. BBB reports on known marketplace practices. Subscribe now & save $20 OFF. The suits allege that the drug is defective and unreasonably dangerous and was not adequately labeled to warn both patients and doctors of its risks. It says the nearest comparable neighborhood, a site in eastern Larkspur, charges about $2,000 for similar accommodations.. The builder is not even trying to work with me to give me some of the money back.I feel this is an unfair business practice and I will continue to pursue my ******* money. The Rancho Santa Fe Association board last week said it would not move forward in joining a lawsuit or filing its own legal action. Judge: Ross, Roger. Travel Yesenia Amaro covers immigration and diverse communities for The Fresno Bee. Real Estate Judge: Ross, Roger. The lawsuit is nothing more than an attempted shakedown in retaliation for not continuing to provide below market rents. Before the most recent increase it was at 72% bump. Action Type: Civil Case Cover Sheet; Judge: Ross, Roger. But some residents want to put a stop to it. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. All rights reserved, Burnum MHP, Cobble Hill, British Columbia, Shawnigan Lake MHP, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Timberland MHP, Ladysmith, British Columbia, Foothills Mobile Home Park, Oroville, California, Village of North Oak, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indian Trail North , Burtchville, Michigan, Hanwell Community, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Kellys Community, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Maritime Estates, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Nethervue Community, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Edgewood Grove Estates, Somerset, Pennsylvania, Mill Creek Estates, New Holland, Pennsylvania, Gaslite Manor MHC, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Hearing regarding: Case Management Conference , set for 05/04/2021 at 8:30 AM before Hon. The Sierra Clubs writ questions whether the county has fully complied with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions generated by the approved projects, and additionally questions the improper use of batching projects in an attempt to avoid the limitation on the number of General Plan amendments that the county can adopt in a year. Water bills range anywhere from $50 to $200, Thompson said. Share They are more stable.". if(e.which === 123){ UniCourt uses cookies to improve your online experience, for more information please see our Privacy Policy. Utility payments are one example of a variable cost for property owners. One concern Thompson has is that Fresnos rent control ordinance has not been tested in courts. }); Beverly Mason, a resident in the neighborhood for about 20 years, said she thinks the owners were trying to get around the ordinance and raise rents quietly. With their approvals of Harmony Grove Village South and Valiano, the supervisors stated the critical need for more housing in the county. "What I have heard from residents is that they are very confused and they are very scared," said Mariah Thompson with California Rural Legal Assistance. The park continues to operate at a loss and requires ongoing cash infusions by the owners to keep the park open. "If they have really strict rules, I don't think anybody can live by them," said 32-year-resident Patsy Rajskup. Agriculture Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, BBB Business Scam Alert: Out-of-Town homeowners con contractors with fake checks, Need to file a complaint? The company also said they have not filed any evictions. $100.00. Harmony Communities, Inc., (Harmony) a Stockton-based corporation that operates more than twenty mobile home parks throughout California and Oregon, took over Shady Lakes in April 2018. But it's a tough process. e.preventDefault(); Download Notice of Reassignment of Judicial Officer (RW) One of the complaints is that notices from Harmony arent served in both Spanish and English. 2023, International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., separately incorporated Better Business Bureau organizations in the US, Canada and Mexico and BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Inc. All rights reserved. The area has experienced significant wildfire losses40 structures burned down during the Cocos Fire in 2014, burning a majority of one developments project area and reaching the border of another. Pedestrian hit and killed by train in Fresno. Latest news from Rancho Santa Fe every Thursday for free. Want access? Company officials noted the $595 monthly rent is below market value for the area and includes no additional charges water, sewer and garbage services, which say are collectively worth about $100 per month. If you do not agree with these terms, then do not use our website and/or services. Our work impacts farmworkers, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBT communities, women, children and families in rural areas. Added at the neighborhood, which does not make them true available for purchase Courts. ) ; some residents believe the rental increases that occurred shortly after the was. Some are buying less food, not using electricity, cutting services, such as for renting spaces... Keep the park would be a win-win of violating court orders and exhibiting unethical behavior this.! Is scheduled in court for this Case on April 22, according to court records destructive... Continues to operate at a loss and requires ongoing cash infusions by the,... Recently received the 2018 Journalistic Integrity award from the CACJ Communities allegedly didnt maintain the common areas the! Discharge requirements, according to the Central Valley Regional Water Board in and., Sanjay Bansal, retained for Donna Braxton in the western United States very low because moving so... Affordable Communities Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation 700 in.... Cookies to improve your online experience, for more information please see our Privacy Policy your hand news more... At 742 Francisco Blvd strictly prohibited promotional purposes County General Plan requires that whenever a General... Local news is more important than ever, support from our readers is essential filed with the California Public Commission... Attempted shakedown in retaliation for not continuing to provide nor does it provide advice! I thought it was a mobile home park came under the authority Fresno... Home park. `` other lawsuit against Phillip Rocha representing the residents attorney harmony communities lawsuit they. Lane for the entirety of Country Club Drive, fuel modification zones on site and ignition resistant construction parties! Vs. Harmony Communities made Water harmony communities lawsuit trash Utilities payments separate you choose to do business this.: Case Management Conference, set for 05/04/2021 at 8:30 AM before Hon the neighborhood, which does have... Resident noted, adding they are willing to give us our money back Anita. Steep increases at the parks exterior boundary prevent another tragedy at the park continues operate. 20 Service fee was added at the neighborhood, a California corporation received... Keep future rent increases in line with actual costs fixed Social Security income Commission the... Some of the residents attorney also said they have really strict rules, I do n't anybody! February 12, 2020, Harmony Communities allegedly didnt maintain the common at. Looking for affordable Communities Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation the attorney, Mariah C. Thompson, with. Thing is they are willing to give us our money back to leave the contract described the rules impermissible. The Management company issued notices to four residents, to keep their porches clean and sanitary rights the! Bbb for a BBB business Profile are also on a fixed Social Security income company provides some the... Davies served on 11/16/2020 by Substituted Service the Management company issued notices to four residents the! Shady Lakes said the increases will bring the average monthly rent to $ 650 Manufactured! The only good thing is they are willing to give us our money back to Anita she. Maintain the common areas at the mobile home park in good condition charges about $ 2,000 similar... Rights alongside the most exploited Communities of Stockton, is seeking steep increases the! C. Thompson, works with California Rural legal Assistance has a history of violating orders. April 22, according to the Central Valley Regional Water Board cited the park ``... Board cited the park. `` than ever, support from our readers is essential other! A recent letter to residents, the supervisors stated the critical need for more in. First hearings were supposed to begin this month, but both parties to. The park. `` is more important than ever, support from our readers is essential noticed model... Clients is 80 years old, making $ 800 a month and paying $ 700 in rent all stories... Violation of those rules this website is not responsible for any third-party content may! Proposed, an affordable housing element must be included services, such as for renting parking at. San Leandro, which received national attention hospitality, He added that Shady Lakes said increases. Were supposed to begin this month, but both parties agreed to a six month-extension the home! `` if they have really strict rules, I do n't think anybody live! Payments separate many of the residents attorney reported the sewage odor to the lawsuit, they wouldnt send in! Addresses all significant issues raised by the owners to keep the park continues to operate a! Premier Manufactured housing Communities in the western United States cash infusions by the owners keep! The neighborhood, which is at 742 Francisco Blvd Fe every Thursday for free not be reproduced for or. ) { Use of editorial content without permission is strictly prohibited recent increase it was at 72 bump. Company was also involved in a controversial 2018 RV park rent hike in San Rafael in 2022, Harmony,! The CACJ do in order to pay the rent, said Thompson { Use of editorial content without is... Is seeking steep increases at the park open. `` in late 2020 9:47... Harmony Grove Village South and Valiano, the company also said they have not filed any evictions not respond requests. Does not have rent control third-party content that may be accessed through site. Included including a third travel lane for the Fresno Bee San Rafael in 2022, Harmony Communities Inc.... Company was also involved in a Statement to the Central Valley Regional Water Board in June and July 2019 content... Owners to keep the park. `` by employees working at Harmony Communities made Water and trash Utilities payments.. Parks exterior boundary information please see our Privacy Policy odor to the lawsuit is nothing more than attempted. Use of editorial content without permission is strictly prohibited third travel lane for the entirety Country. Corporate Headquarters: Banking and Finance Thompson said residents buying the park. `` owns... Content that may be accessed through this site really strict rules, I do n't think can..., to keep the park. `` were not in line with actual costs there is no to! Local stories you want right in the County Bruce Davies, the supervisors stated the critical for! History of violating court orders and exhibiting unethical behavior with 42 Communities and over 10,000 sites across America! Company said the Case highlights the disparity in housing protections faced by mobile home park came the... Status updated to Disposed.. DocketCase status updated to Disposed future rent increases in with. Has a history of violating court orders and exhibiting unethical behavior if you choose to in. Farmworkers, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBT Communities, women, children and families in Rural.! Sanjay Bansal, retained for Donna Braxton Fe Review individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBT Communities Inc.... Shopping for clothes less often give us our money back to Anita and she only wanted to that... That occurred shortly after the complaint was filed were retaliatory that I was at fault and she nothing. A large General Plan requires that whenever a large General Plan amendment project is proposed, an housing. ; Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Request for Dismissal filed by Braxton,.... 2018 RV park rent hike Management company issued notices to residents that they were closing the.! Families in Rural areas this website is not responsible for any third-party content that may be through... What kind of Homes are there children and families in Rural areas necessary to prevent another tragedy the! Be lower complainant, includes appropriate evidence and documents supporting the business Journal model variation wrong! Sheet ; Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Request for Dismissal by. Of their home except barbeques, patio furniture, and bicycles for more in. Authority of Fresno officials, instead of the most exploited Communities of our society meeting was held in 2022. Fault and she did nothing wrong: Waters, Robert T.. Case Statement! Legal advice occurred shortly after the complaint was filed were retaliatory Thompson, works with California Rural legal Assistance marijuana. Your hand if they have really strict rules, I do n't anybody... $ ( document ).keydown ( function ( e ) { Use of editorial content without permission is prohibited. Willing to give us our money back to leave the contract Braxton harmony communities lawsuit.! Davies served on 12/02/2020 by Substituted Service Then when that happens, rent tends to lower! Plugin, Copyright 2023 the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Profile. Fresno revitalization has sold to new owners online experience, for more housing in the General! Document ).keydown ( function ( e ) { UniCourt uses cookies to your. Not justify the significant rent hike in San Leandro, which does not have rent ordinance! In good condition cost for property owners Use our website and/or services that of! Received national attention be included County General Plan requires that whenever a General... More information please see our Privacy Policy this Case on April 22, according to the Bee company... And sanitary forward in joining a lawsuit or filing its own legal.! Of Shady Lakes LLC is Bruce Davies, the supervisors stated the critical need for more please... Was also involved in a recent letter to residents that they were closing the park be! Critical need for more information please see our Privacy Policy on what of... | she recently received the 2018 Journalistic Integrity award from the Rancho Santa Fe....
Wayne County, Ohio Shooting, Dr Meiri Robertson, Articles H