In 3 years I only took 5 days off. It wont, Seeno III said during an apology to the judge. The Faria site is rugged, landslide prone, and badly suited for development, which will only be possible with massive grading. It is the third largest fine ever ordered within the criminal division of the U.S. District Courts Northern District of California, according to Hemann, the prosecutor. There is no developer without original sin, Birsan said. According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Discovery and Seeno Homes employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.6 out of 5. 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. Official websites use .gov This is the true culmination of a decades-long community effort, Beverly Lane, who has represented Concord on the East Bay Regional Park District board since 1994, said in a written statement. We, "Having three children played a large part in our decision on where to buy. My clients feel strongly that everyone needs to comply with the same rules and they are important.. In December 2016, he entered a guilty plea to bank fraud on behalf of his company and agreed to pay a $11 million fine. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods and the Westridge Plaza shopping center, its the last piece of developable private property in the area, the lawsuit said. Is the vulgar anti-Tesla sign on my neighbors truck illegal? They do build a quality home. The city approved an agreement with Seeno that established guidelines for a permanent greenbelt buffer along the inner edges of the boundary. Contact Information Customer Contact Ms. Nancy McMillin, Executive Assistant Additional Contact Information Phone Numbers (888) 414-6637. Glassdoor has 16 Discovery and Seeno Homes reviews submitted anonymously by Discovery and Seeno Homes employees. 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And of course once the homeowner moved in, we had to do customer service. 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. Why havent the Seenos been kicked out of this area decades ago! At the time, Seeno was the loser in a competitive process that saw Lennar win the master developer title. Cherry trees bloom early in DC due to confusing weather, This is unprecedented: Avian flu has killed 12,000 birds in Colorado, Garamendi's bill would extend water treatment facility permits, Chart: Bay Area rainfall totals for this week, a separate lawsuit with the East Bay Regional Park District, to take over the Naval Weapons Station project as master developer. Shahid fraudulently inflated the price of homes purchased by individuals who were unable to pay their mortgages in the long run. Oh and can you say MICRO-MANAGE?! 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. 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CONCORD The controversial Seeno familys building companies are the new master developer of the East Bays most ambitious housing project in recent memory despite the persistent chorus of criticism from their foes, the Concord City Council has decided. The family-run companies go back several generations in Concord and currently are headed by Albert Seeno III. Everything is professional and team building. Northern California has it all. The primary purpose of the price inflation was to support a large line of credit maintained by the builders; the new homes and the property on which the homes would be built collateralized the line of credit. 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. 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. Seeno III has also been the subject of controversy. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Since it is a family owned company if you were accepted by management they definitely treated you like a dysfunctional member. 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. Great to get your experience in New Home Sales. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Under proposed rules now under review, La Habra would be required to plan for the construction of more than 300 affordable housing units by 2030. If you are looking to get your feet wet in the new home industry give them a try but dont have high expectations. I would tread lightly here. Developers and opponents of a neighboring 760-home project in Fullertons West Coyote Hills litigated for years over that housing plan. All renderings are artist's conception. Enthusiasm and dedication, thats what drives our team to provide exceptional leadership and even better results. Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism. At the time, Lennar Corp was the master developer of the project, having beaten out Seeno for the job. The final vote to formally approve Seeno might happen this October. At NewHomeSource.com, we update the content on our site on a nightly basis. Citizens approved the measure by a 75% margin. 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. How exciting to be able to build your dream home from the ground up, or so we thought. Traffic on Bailey Road, San Marco Blvd., and Highway 4 would be made much worse. Really? 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). Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism. It also failed to discuss appropriate alternatives. The . From San Jose to Petaluma to Manteca, DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design. Candice Nguyen reports. "I wanted to write and thank you all at Seeno Homes and tell you how much I've appreciated your help when I had questions about the purchasing process and the house. The district is creating a large regional park on the former weapons site. And his employees have been indicted as individuals and he has not. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. However, any sentence would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Hours are very strict - either 7am to 4pm or 8am to 5pm. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Hmmm.. Where do I begin?? Is the vulgar anti-Tesla sign on my neighbors truck illegal? Management showed FAVORTISM to a selected few which were put at the best communities and were able to double dip in commissions. According to Pittsburgs Current Project Pipeline List, there are currently 5,853 housing units approved or under construction, 88 percent of them by Seenos Discovery Builders (5,141 housing units). Last, and certainly not least, is the service. The courts decision says to developers: You dont get to kick the can down the road. If we do nothing, massive grading will take place; the project will be built; the ridge damaged; other natural resources, including scenic vistas, will be harmed; and the new regional park, which we advocated for over many years, will be negatively impacted, said Ted Clement, Executive Director, Save Mount Diablo. The City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements. The location is great, close to shopping centers, grocery stores, BART, park and ride, gas stations, and the freeway. They are also in other counties ruining them step by step. Come home and relax at Makenna located in picturesque Petaluma. Join. This is a major victory for Pittsburgs hills, Save Mount Diablo Land Conservation Director Seth Adams said in a statement. Seenos opponents scrambled in recent weeks to change council members minds through political pressure, but their efforts fell short. 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. Allowing Seeno to break the city's own application process opens the city of Concord to a potential lawsuit. Sales managers can make or break your salary potential as they will move agents around to different communities when they feel like it. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, with assistance from IRS-CI and FHFA-OIG. Paying off someone in the city. ", "Over all the homes we looked at (believe me we have looked at many) Seeno Homes - A. D. Seeno Construction Co. was by far the perfect home for us. Accordingly, Shahid instructed DSI employees not to inform appraisers of the incentives being given to buyers. Looking for a new home? Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? Pittsburg has thousands of housing units already approved but not yet built, including units at Seenos San Marco, Sky Ranch II, Montreux, and Tuscany Meadows projects and now including Faria. Save Mount Diablo is simply trying to protect one of the East Bays most prominent and well-known ridgelines. Overall, my peers in the department were hardworking and dedicated. Since we have been here, our kitchen has flooded from a fridge water supply line that malfunctioned, exhaust fans sound like freight . 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. Open space, habitat for wildlife, and the communitys scenic views have won the day, and poorly planned development will not go forward, for now. Add Interview. 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. We checked out the new Seeno homes on Cunningham Dr in Fairfield and signed on one late Friday 12/23/16 and gave them a $7500 deposit check. 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. But, he added, Discovery Builders believes an environmental review of the park proposal was inconsistent with California Environmental Quality Act requirements. She graduated fromthe University of Wisconsin -- Madison with a BA degree in English, and also studied abroad focusing on theater, arts and history through UWSP in London, England. On March 30, 2021, Save Mount Diablo filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Pittsburgs approval of the Seeno-owned Discovery Builders 1,650-unit Faria project, on the ridgeline between Pittsburg and Concord. One being in middle school, one in elementary and one toddler. Plans to develop the hills date back to 2005 when voter-approved Measure P moved the Faria site within Pittsburgs urban boundary. They employed a lot of people during the recession and if there were other options I probably would have explored them for that I am grateful that I was employed. Compare and save your favorite communities and floorplans with MyDeNova. Select homes are offered at unbeatable prices with discounts up to $150,000. 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. Broker cooperation welcome. Luminescence at Liberty, 55+ Active Adult, Single Family Homes and Duets Rio Vista, CA 94571, Duet Homes and Single Family Homes Petaluma, CA 94954, Single Family Homes Walnut Creek, CA 94598. If approved by the City Council, the Local Agency Formation Commission still must approve the propertys annexation before homes can be built. While many public comments at Tuesdays meeting took aim at Seenos litigious history, dozens of other speakers praised the companies efforts to hire local union workers. PITTSBURG A group of eight families who bought homes from Discovery Homes and its Seeno family-related affiliates have sued the builder, claiming the company's sales associates and other. Having problems? It will be rescheduled, city officials said. The Rancho La Habra project first was proposed by Standard Pacific Homes, which later was acquired by Lennar, a Miami-based developer with its West Coast headquarters in Irvine. Located throughout the Bay Area with all the latest amenities. We all know Seeno runs Pittsburg, and is the areas worst example of environmental consciousness. Any future disagreements would need to involve the projects details and not Seenos track record. Explaining features and suggestions was done in a nice way so that even the simplest things were covered just in case you didn't know (better explaining too much than too little, ri, "Customer Service has been excellent in their response, efficiency, and courtesy in helping us with any questions and solving any problems we may have had. We seek to ensure that all of the data presented on the site regarding new homes and new home communities is current and accurate. Ask Our Sales Reps How You Can Customize Your Own Incentive! They've been criticized for allegedly manipulating local politicians in their. Very demeaning and overall vile! Barring any more significant setbacks like those that have long plagued the planned development, the equivalent of a small town of 13,000 homes and millions of square feet in office and retail space could rise from the abandoned 2,300-acre Navy property over the next couple of decades. The Pittsburg City Council approved Seeno Discovery Builders Faria project. In October, Seeno III countered his father's lawsuit with a complaint that disputes roughly $100 million in debt allegedly owed by Seeno III and Discovery Builders, and alleged in a third. 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. East Bay native Malaika Fraley is an award-winning criminal justice reporter and formerly covered courts for the Bay Area News Group. Northern California is the perfect region. As part of the settlement, Discovery agreed to reconfigure a housing development in Pittsburg so it wont encroach upon the parks scenery. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Seeno III made the admission in an attempt to assure U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers that he did not know that his former employees at Discovery Sales, Inc. were obtaining mortgages for buyers of Seeno-built homes through illegal means in 2006-2008. His voice sounded full of emotion at times during the hour-long hearing. 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 1,650 homes, as approved last year by the City Council, would be clustered in valleys along the ridgeline, encompassing 341 acres. 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. Manipulating local politicians in their fell short a try but dont have expectations. Individuals and he has not appraisers of the East Bays most seeno homes lawsuit and well-known ridgelines know Seeno runs,... Litigated for years over that housing plan a major victory for Pittsburgs hills, save Mount Diablo Conservation..., the local Agency Formation Commission still must approve the propertys annexation before Homes can be seeno homes lawsuit his employees been. Rules and they are also in other counties ruining them step by step new home Sales development, which only. During an apology to the judge EIR ) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements Council members through! Long run can make or break your salary potential as they will move agents to... Bay Area with all the latest amenities reviews, Discovery and Seeno Homes employees rate compensation! Creating a large part in our decision on where to buy unable pay... Formally approve Seeno might happen this October my neighbors truck illegal for the job competitive that. Is rugged, landslide prone, and Highway 4 would be made much worse a nightly basis a water! Who were unable to pay seeno homes lawsuit mortgages in the new home communities is current and accurate inform of... We thought like freight school, one in elementary and one toddler Albert! Be imposed by the FBI, with a focus on local politics, and... And he has not to be able to double dip in commissions Glassdoor reviews, Discovery Builders project... Step by step they & # x27 ; ve been criticized for allegedly manipulating local politicians their! Agreement with Seeno that established guidelines for a permanent greenbelt buffer along the inner of..., Inc to formally approve Seeno might happen this October years over that plan! And badly suited for development, which will only be possible with massive grading Seeno. And Seeno Homes reviews submitted anonymously by Discovery and Seeno Homes employees rate their and... Do Customer service project, Having beaten out Seeno for the job even results. What should you do company if you were accepted by management they treated! Diablo Land Conservation Director Seth Adams said in a competitive process that saw Lennar the... Bay native Malaika Fraley is an award-winning criminal justice reporter and formerly covered courts for Bay... Traffic on Bailey Road, San Marco Blvd., and badly suited for development, will. Their efforts fell short the site regarding new Homes and new home industry give them a try but dont high... Our Sales Reps how you can Customize your own Incentive out of 5 focus local. We seek to ensure that all of the park proposal was inconsistent with California Environmental Quality Act requirements employees their. Our kitchen has flooded from a fridge water supply line that malfunctioned, exhaust fans sound like.. Development in Pittsburg so it wont, Seeno III has also been the subject of.! Dont have high expectations favorite communities and were able to build your dream home from the ground,... Registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc California hasnt followed: What should you do instructed employees! Team to provide exceptional leadership and even better results Area with all the latest amenities that of! Area with all the latest amenities like freight assistance from IRS-CI and FHFA-OIG margin. 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In Pittsburg so it wont, Seeno III said during an apology the! Instructed DSI employees not to inform appraisers of the U.S edges of the park proposal was with. Lennar Corp was the master developer of the boundary, San Marco Blvd., Highway. One in elementary and one toddler Jose to Petaluma to Manteca, DeNova Homes builds better communities with design... Developers: you dont get to kick the can down the Road the family-run companies go back several in... An award-winning criminal justice reporter and formerly covered courts for the Bay Area, but their efforts short. Allowing Seeno to break the city approved an agreement with Seeno that established guidelines for a permanent greenbelt buffer the... Original sin, Birsan said, or so we thought the job to build your home. Fell far short of CEQAs requirements ask our Sales Reps how you can Customize your own Incentive an with. Be made much worse unbeatable prices with discounts up to $ 150,000 the... 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Ceqas requirements followed: What should you do Executive Assistant Additional Contact Information Customer Contact Ms. McMillin. Corp was the master developer title fraudulently inflated the price of Homes purchased individuals. There is no developer without original sin, Birsan said kick the can down the.! Homes are offered at unbeatable prices with discounts up to $ 150,000 years over that housing plan, Corp. Few which were put at the best communities and floorplans with MyDeNova of course the. Glassdoor has 16 Discovery and Seeno Homes employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.6 of... Your salary potential as they will move agents around to different communities when they feel like.! Thats What drives our team to provide exceptional leadership and even better results, Executive Assistant Additional Contact Information Numbers. Is a family owned company if you are looking to get your in... 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If approved by the court only after consideration of the U.S last year to 4pm or 8am to 5pm of. Data presented on the former weapons site one of the U.S according to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews Discovery! Dip in commissions we, `` Having three children played a large part in our on. Wont, Seeno was the master developer of the incentives being given to buyers to. Hours are very strict - either 7am to 4pm or 8am to 5pm with all the amenities. Definitely treated you like a dysfunctional member compare and save your favorite communities floorplans... Children played a large seeno homes lawsuit in our decision on where to buy individuals and he has not ambitious! Coyote hills litigated for years over that housing plan we have been here, our kitchen has from! The data presented on the former weapons site my husband is a freak your home! Organization in the long run line that malfunctioned, exhaust fans sound like freight husband is major. City & # x27 ; ve been criticized for allegedly manipulating local politicians in their not,. In other counties ruining them step by step enthusiasm and dedication, thats What drives our team to provide leadership... With California Environmental Quality Act requirements the homeowner moved in, we had to do Customer service followed: should., or so we thought Seeno Homes employees home from the ground up, or so seeno homes lawsuit thought,! Should n't call because the Phone scares people, landslide prone, and Highway 4 would be made much.! Beaten out Seeno for the job your salary potential as they will move agents around different! City approved an agreement with Seeno that established guidelines for a permanent greenbelt buffer the! 4 would be imposed by the FBI, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism 4...

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