Before joining the Orange County Register in 1990, he covered a wide range of topics for daily newspapers in Kansas, El Paso and Dallas. The Whittemores responded Feb. 1 with a suit of their own filed in the U.S. District Court of Nevada, accusing Albert Seeno Jr., Thomas Seeno and Albert Seeno III of racketeering, extortion, conspiracy to defraud the Whittemores and the federal government and breach of contract. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Judith Prieve is a reporter and editor for the Bay Area News Group who covers eastern Contra Costa County for the East Bay Times and The Mercury News. Specifically, Shahid ensured the details of the incentives that were being given to specific buyers would not appear in the bank loan files because the loan-to-value ratio would not support the requested loan on the inflated sales price of the home. And the mitigation adopted for many impacts is plainly inadequate or ineffective. Seenos opponents scrambled in recent weeks to change council members minds through political pressure, but their efforts fell short. 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. As an employee you would probably push your self more than ever working for this company. Last year, the Seeno team settled a separate lawsuit with the East Bay Regional Park District, which contended the Faria homes would disrupt views of the hills, which can be seen from the Concord Naval Weapons Station. 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. His voice sounded full of emotion at times during the hour-long hearing. 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. In a plea deal accepted by the judge on Thursday, Seeno III agreed to pay $3 million in restitution toFannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two taxpayer-sponsored financial services companies, within 120 days. Seeno III, who is the president of Discovery Sales, said he trusted his staff to run Discovery Sales while he focused his attentions on the building development side of his business, which includes A.D. Seeno Construction Co. started by his father Albert Seeno Jr., and Seeno Homes and Discovery Homes. 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. Duet Homes and Single Family HomesPetaluma, CA, 1,395 - 2,380 Sq. One of the many residents who called into Tuesdays meeting complained that regardless of what the agreement says, Seeno might use litigation as a weapon in negotiations. I really enjoyed the office culture, as my space was my space. 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. The decision was immediately challenged by local environmentalists, including the conservationist group Save Mount Diablo, who contend the homes would mar the highly visible open space and harm the habitats of several sensitive species. 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. Is the vulgar anti-Tesla sign on my neighbors truck illegal? 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. If approved by the City Council, the Local Agency Formation Commission still must approve the propertys annexation before homes can be built. poor management skills, micro managing exemplified, unclear direction of the company. To the dismay of Seenos critics, the exclusive negotiating agreement also effectively prevents the council from arbitrarily changing its mind, Bjerke said. The overall vibe is a somber place to work. A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Concord-based developer Albert Seeno III against the East Bay Regional Parks District, which hopes to build a new park at the former Concord Naval Weapons. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. One being in middle school, one in elementary and one toddler. Disfunctional, irrational, self-serving place of employment with no job security regardless of how hard you work or your contribution. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Dont be fooled by homebuilders fancy photos of parks and trails (and) beautiful fairy tales of good neighbor communities, the website said. New ideas or processes for efficiency, thoroghness or future retention were discouraged and bluntly rejected without any thought or discussion. Accordingly, Shahid instructed DSI employees not to inform appraisers of the incentives being given to buyers. 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. 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. However, we do not assume any liability for inaccuracies. It will be rescheduled, city officials said. In 3 years I only took 5 days off. 39% of Discovery and Seeno Homes employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. 27 February 2023 . All renderings are artist's conception. We very much appreciate owning a Seeno built home and would not hesitate to purchase another one. The districts board of directors approved the parks land-use plan and associated environmental impact report on July 7, paving the way for development of the more than 2,540-acre regional park. 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. According to Clement, Throughout the East Bay, residents have worked hard to protect our ridges and views, and to defend our parks. We will bring this evidence to the Courts attention next week, and we are hopeful that the Court will reconsider its decision in light of the full evidentiary record.. This is our third home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno. Last year, the city reached a dead end with former master developer Lennar Corp., which walked away after refusing to hire local labor for construction work. Enter your email address and well send you a link to reset your password. Very demeaning and overall vile! 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. Really? Among other flaws, the EIR lacks adequate analysis of numerous impacts, including biological resources, water supply, wildfire, traffic, and land use. The buyers were not required to possess or post any of their own money when buying a home; DSI, the builders and their affiliates provided money to buyers to make down payments. The public overwhelmingly supports the creation of this regional park, district general manager Robert Doyle said. Discovery Sales was prosecuted as a company. Neither of these have started yet. Hmmm.. Where do I begin?? According to an August 21, 2020 media release by EBRPD: This approval paved the way for the Park District to begin work on park and trail development of the 2,540-plus-acre regional park at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station and was the product of two decades of community advocacy and partnership amongst the Park District, U.S. Navy, National Park Service, City of Concord, with overwhelming support from the residents of Central Costa County. Seeno Company never expressed any specific concerns or opposition to the new park during the two-decades-long planning processuntil now, after the land use plan has been approved.. Shahids plea agreement also explains that DSI made loans that were secured by homes that were in some cases worth less than the loan amount and that DSI did not make an effort to determine the true value of these homes. Measure X, which specifically targets the Rancho La Habra plan, would take development decisions from the city council ensuring no further development on the property, the lawsuit said. The Seeno family of development companies wants to build 1,650 homes in the hills that overlook the Concord Naval Weapons Station. 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. driving a golf cart and free Biscotti cookies at the office. Great to get your experience in New Home Sales. The lawsuit also maintains some funding to fight the project came from the Westridge Community Association, a neighborhood abutting the golf course that once was part of the same property. The court got it right.. The park project, which will include miles of trails, campgrounds and a visitor center, is the product of years of community advocacy and partnership among the park district, U.S. Navy, National Park Service and the city of Concord. It makes it easy to go into the sales office everyday and give it your all. The 1,650 homes, as approved last year by the City Council, would be clustered in valleys along the ridgeline, encompassing 341 acres. There is no developer without original sin, Birsan said. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work for a such a great family owned business. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence. About 55% of the land would be preserved as open space, and the golf courses clubhouse would be converted into a community center. Find him taking walks around town; he is always looking for story tips. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. However, any sentence would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Select homes are offered at unbeatable prices with discounts up to $150,000. 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. The suit followed the Concord City Councils decision to award the master development contract for that project to another team instead of Seenos team. Discovery and Seeno Homes Reviews Updated Jun 10, 2022 Find Reviews Clear All Full-time, Part-time English Filter Found 16 of over 16 reviews Sort Popular Popular COVID-19 Related Highest Rating Lowest Rating Most Recent Oldest First 2.9 39 % Recommend to a Friend 55 % Approve of CEO Albert Seeno Sr. 4 Ratings IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? It was very hard to have a life outside of Seeno. There were four issues where, respectfully, we believe the Court overlooked key evidence in the record, said Kristina Lawson, a managing partner for the Hanson Bridgett, LLP. "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. Add Benefits. As part of the deal, Seeno promised to build a recreation center in Pittsburg. 39% of employees would recommend working at Discovery and Seeno Homes to a friend and 36% have a positive outlook for the business. It would be nice to have a weekend off once in a while. 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. At the time, Seeno was the loser in a competitive process that saw Lennar win the master developer title. Copyright 2001-2023 Builders Digital Experience, LLC. 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. The company has a stake in numerous California mega-projects with partner Five Point Communities, ranging from the Orange County Great Park to the new Valencia development in northern Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Shipyard project. 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, https://www.ebparks.org/parks/concord_hills/default.htm. Discovery and Seeno Homes has an overall rating of 2.9 out of 5, based on over 16 reviews left anonymously by employees. The Sales Management is sexist and entitled. The Seeno bunch should be driven out of California. 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. 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. It is a family business and nepotism runs rampid. Seeno is no stranger to the project. We are proud to support our law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting this case.. Love the environment, we are all treated like a big family. Ft. 1 - 2 Bed 1 - 2 Bath. Official websites use .gov Former Discovery Sales Vice President Ayman Shahid and sales executive Carey Hendrickson also pleaded guilty andare awaiting sentencing. 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. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Discovery Builders Faria project would damage the major ridgeline between east and central Contra Costa County, threaten views from throughout the region, and impact the new regional park on the Concord side of the ridge. The City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements. Red Tag Sales Event: Save up to $150,000 on Select Move-In Ready HomesFeb 15, 2023. Plans to develop the hills date back to 2005 when voter-approved Measure P moved the Faria site within Pittsburgs urban boundary. But the developers promised to also build a youth recreation center at the project site and preserve 265 additional acres of land as open space. Sales managers can make or break your salary potential as they will move agents around to different communities when they feel like it. 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. Save Mount Diablo Sues Seeno Discovery Builders to Protect Major Ridgeline in Pittsburg, Again this Website has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes! 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). CEQA requires legally adequate environmental review, consideration of appropriate alternatives, and implementation of mitigations to reduce impacts. We seek to ensure that all of the data presented on the site regarding new homes and new home communities is current and accurate. To see all the homes youve saved, visit the My Favorites section of your account. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? 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. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? The lawsuit also alleges the district failed to assess the sites biological resources, relying on old data. 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. A.D. Seeno Construction Co. Community Homes Sales, Inc. Shahid told investigators that Seeno III knew about the criminal activity. Copyright 2023 DeNova Homes. Aside from their favorite agents everyone else was treated like dirt. The property is between Kirker Pass Road and Highway 4. This Website Has Moved to ContraCosta.news, East Bay Regional Park District Celebrates Green Friday. 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.. During slow times it was extremely hard to be positive and I feel as though I have tough nerves. I would tread lightly here. All they do is ruin this place with their ugly houses! The city is evaluating the lawsuit and has no comment at this time, saidRobert Ferrier,assistant to the city manager. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. Last, and certainly not least, is the service. 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