The city applied to put the property into a receivership, meaning a third party took control from the current owners. This represents a missed opportunity to recapture for public benefit some part of the gain in land value resulting from their public action.. WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin, Copyright 2023 The Business Journal. This story was originally published February 12, 2020, 9:47 AM. Robert T. Waters in Department 11B. Business Profile Harmony Communities, Inc. Property Management Contact Information 6653 Embarcadero Dr Ste C Stockton, CA 95219 Visit Website (209) 932-8747 Customer Complaints 1 complaints. Ms. Jaymie Buchholz, Customer Service Specialist, Ms. Jan Scarborough, Marketing Coordinator. Download Notice of Reassignment of Judicial Officer (RW) Heres why, Federal judge issues new charges for Goshen massacre suspect in Operation Nightmare, Model agency pushed performers into prostitution and porn, California prosecutors say. INSANELY HORRIBLE COMPANY! She admitted fault of the company and offered us a washer and dryer for the mistake.. a washer and dryer for compensation of a completely wrong house. DocketHearing Result: Vacated Judge: Waters, Robert T.. DocketCase status updated to Disposed. As the roofing started going up I knew 100% they were building the wrong home. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. If you are able to, please support the Rancho Santa Fe Review today. How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. It is our goal to keep future rent increases in line with inflation. The community suffered two destructive fires in April and June of 2021. *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. The city has sent a letter to Harmony Communities. San Jose Could Face a Lawsuit Over its Rent Freeze There are programs that help mobile home residents secure financing. The dispute hinges on what kind of homes are there. RELATED: Trails End takeover: City of Fresno now controls conditions at mobile home park. Case Details Parties Documents Dockets Case Details Travel Healthcare A spokesman for Harmony. Harmony immediately raised space rent by $130.00a 32% increase that made rents unaffordable to families living in the park. please create a FREE account OR login here. The lawsuit also claims Harmony Communities sent residents leases without terms that are required under the law. We take pride in Shady Lakes, and it is our priority to ensure residents enjoy both affordable as well as safe and pleasant living conditions.. Professional Services Before the most recent increase it was at 72% bump. The management company also instituted 29 rules, which were described in the lawsuit as burdensome, unreasonable, oppressive, and unnecessary.. Many of the residents have received notices requesting their gates be left unlocked at all times, and have had personnel with the company enter their private property and take photos of everything around their house, Thompson said. "They are well regarded by the State Housing and Community Development Department," said Adams. Sports/Entertainment All Rights Reserved. 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We do this by identifying existing, high potential properties ripe for investment, upgrade, beautification and expansion. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, MHVillage Inc. is the nation's premier online marketplace for buying and selling manufactured homes with more than 25 million unique visitors annually. The problem is buying it at a price that would allow residents to bring rent down. Shady Lakes LLC purchased the property for $3.1 million, according to documents filed with the Fresno County Recorders Office. Company officials said they have spent more than $250,000 over the past nine months, making improvements, including upgrading the sewer treatment plant, roofs, lighting in common areas and renovations to the laundry room. Notice of Case Assignment / Scheduling Information, Notice of Reassignment of Judicial Officer (RW), Cases involving other labor matters not classified elsewhere, 790, 1750, 1790, 2750, 2790, 3750, 3790, 4790. Work was done to correct what was a terrible odor, but Thompson said many clients complain it still stinks from time to time. The residents attorney reported the sewage odor to the Central Valley Regional Water Board in June and July 2019. Company representatives denied the claims in both cases. explains why any relief sought by the complainant cannot or should not be granted. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to tens of thousands of low-income California residents annually. The 53-year-old man said all residents who are part of the lawsuit work in the field seasonally. During the projects July 25 hearing, county staff and fire experts said that the fire protection plan developed for the projects was extensive with measures that met and exceeded San Diego County Consolidated Fire Code. The lawsuit was . RELATED: Family of man killed in Trail's End Mobile Home Park fire files wrongful death lawsuit. Ultimately what happens is residents are responsible for upholding their own rights and seeking judicial adjudication of their rights, which is very difficult because mobile home residents are some of the most vulnerable populations, and do not have access to the legal system, normally, she said. BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Trucking $0.00. Thompson also represents the rent control group of residents at that mobile home park. That's why she's passing out fliers encouraging the residents of Trails End to come together to take ownership of the park -- literally. 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. Judge: Ross, Roger. While the management has already increased rent for 2021, any further rent increases must be approved through the hearing process provided for in San Rafael Municipal Code.. The County General Plan requires that whenever a large General Plan amendment project is proposed, an affordable housing element must be included. Online dating website eHarmony has settled a consumer protection lawsuit for misleading customers, and has paid out $1.28 million to four counties and one city in California. And the best part of all, documents in their CrowdSourced Library are FREE! BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. They also said the park authorities refuse to provide notices in Spanish. Utility payments are one example of a variable cost for property owners. Repairs and maintenance are usually baked into budgets. 2021-05-10, Santa Clara County Superior Courts | Personal Injury | Robert T. Waters in Department 11B. Harmony immediately raised space rent by $130.00a 32% increase that made rents unaffordable to families living in the park. 2022-09-06, Fresno County Superior Courts | Other | BBB is here to help. On 03/24/2021 Harmony Communities, Inc filed an Other lawsuit against Phillip Rocha. Attorney, Sanjay Bansal, retained for Donna Braxton . Judge: Ross, Roger. 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. , He added that Shady Lakes is available for purchase. Why is this public record being published online? }); 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. The residents attorney also said conditions at the park did not justify the significant rent hike. Marketing Public Records Policy. And in a Fresno County case last year, residents at the Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park filed a lawsuit alleging the company unfairly hiked rents and harassed tenants. addresses all significant issues raised by the complainant, includes appropriate evidence and documents supporting the business' position, and. Banking and Finance The reality is the land is worth much more than operating an RV Park for affordable housing. 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. According to a release, the lawsuit is being filed to protect public safety, defend the integrity of the Countys General Plan and demand supervisors get serious about affordable housing.. And the best part of all, documents in their CrowdSourced Library are FREE. One of the complaints is that notices from Harmony arent served in both Spanish and English. BBB reports on known marketplace practices. 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. Residents have now retained an attorney to negotiate a purchase of the property. $0.00. The Valiano and Harmony Grove Village South projects represent the worst of all worlds: freeways to sprawl that enrich the clever ones while the public and the planet bear the cost. Harmony chooses the color residents can paint their houses, the material, color, and height of their fences, and where air conditioners can be installed. Use the search options below or click a state in the map below to view communities. Their lives are theyre constantly in crisis. The first hearings were supposed to begin this month, but both parties agreed to a six month-extension. In a Fresno County case two years ago, residents at the Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park filed a lawsuit alleging the company unfairly hiked rents and harassed tenants. Other, BLOG: Years first job killer will hit motorists in the wallet, Californias first Job Killer of the year, as determined by, BLOG: Three business themes for 2023 and beyond, As we move deeper into 2023, the business community is. 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. Search Harmony Communities With 42 communities and over 10,000 sites across North America, we have what you're looking for! var $ = jQuery, Judge: Ross, Roger. They want to be together.. We dont want them to increase the rent again because they are increasing it significantly.. $(window).load( function() { 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. They didn't even spend 2 seconds trying to keep us as customers. $(".custombox-content").bind("contextmenu",function(e) { Residents paid $395 under the previous owners, less than a year ago. UniCourt uses cookies to improve your online experience, for more information please see our Privacy Policy. 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 . Harmony Communities also recently purchased Trails End Mobile Home Park, now called La Hacienda. Family of man killed in Trail's End Mobile Home Park fire files wrongful death lawsuit, Trails End takeover: City of Fresno now controls conditions at mobile home park, Fresno woman involved in mobile home fire calling for change. The suit names as defendants Shady Lakes LLC, KMLM Investors LCC and Harmony Communities, Inc. Shady Lakes LLC and KMLM Investors LCC bought the Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park in Fresno in April 2019, and Harmony Communities, Inc., operates and manages the mobile home park, according to the lawsuit. The evacuation plan was also approved by the County Fire Authority and Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District. We understand that you contend that the tenant spaces in the park are occupied by recreational vehicles (RVs) rather than by mobile homes, and that the park is therefore exempt from San Rafaels Mobile Home Rent Stabilization ordinance, City Attorney Robert Epstein wrote. Pedestrian hit and killed by train in Fresno. Since most residents own their own homes, costs are largely fixed for property owners, Merrifield said. 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. 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. Proof of Service of Summons as to Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation served on 11/16/2020 by Substituted Service. The rent increase from 3 years ago was larger than normal, in order to bring the rents closer in line with market rents, and allow the park to continue operations. Residents who oppose these rules have been harassed and threatened by Harmonys staff. Outside of the financial reasons keeping them there, most of the residents come from the same area in Oaxaca a state in southern Mexico. Well guide you through the process. return false; The Central Valley Regional Water Board cited the park owners for 31 violations over their waste discharge requirements, according to the lawsuit. Currently the park is losing money on an ongoing basis. All Rights Reserved. We are currently in the process of buying a house from them in Bella Park. The company was also involved in a controversial 2018 RV park rent hike in San Leandro, which does not have rent control. Government Aug. 28, 2018 10 AM PT. And a notice given to a resident at Shady. After adding new utility fees that had been parceled out and another increase, in some cases rent had climbed over 100% since 2019. Attorneys representing them on that are working hard with, you know, community partners and the County of Fresno to try and obtain funding to help residents purchase the park in a way that can bring the rent down, Thompson said. The company also said they have not filed any evictions. Read More Business Details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus. This case was filed in Fresno County Superior Courts, Fresno County BF Sisk Courthouse located in Fresno, California. Visit CRLA.org for all our latest news & information. e.preventDefault(); Media Contact:Mariah C. Thompson, AttorneyCalifornia Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.mthompson@crla.org(559)441-8721, FRESNO COUNTY MOBILE HOME PARK RESIDENTS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST PREDATORY CORPORATE OWNERSCase highlights laws protecting mobile home park residents access to affordable housing, Fresno County, California- A group of mobile home park residents in Fresno County have filed a lawsuit to stop the ongoing predatory and inequitable actions of an out-of-town corporation that recently purchased their mobile home park. Harmony Communities, the property management company, delivered a notice to tenants July 25 stating the owner's intent to close the park at 742 Francisco Blvd. Residents say the proprietor, Harmony Communities of Stockton, is seeking steep increases at the neighborhood, which is at 742 Francisco Blvd. The park has been operating at a significant loss which we are attempting to remedy, the company said in the statement. Action Type: First Paper Unlimited Civil (amount over $25,000); Judge: Ross, Roger. 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. RELATED: Fresno woman involved in mobile home fire calling for change. custombox = document.getElementsByClassName("custombox-content"); 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. For more information on CRLA, please visit: www.crla.org. DocketPayment received by Donna Braxton in the amount of $435.00. For example, we have no way of knowing which residents are involvedtheir attorney has not divulged this informationso any claims of retaliation are simply not true.. For only $59 for one 1-year you will receive the Print edition along with EVERYTHING The Business Journal has to offer digitally, PLUS you will have unlimited 24- hour a day access to view articles at. 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. Finally, one place to get all the court documents we need. $("#paoc-modal-1").bind("contextmenu",function(e) { A meeting was held in May 2022 by the CPUC to hear the matter. With the legal action, the united rural communities of Harmony Grove, Elfin Forest and Eden Valley will question whether the projects were approved in violation of county and state fire code regulations. Last summer, the mobile home park came under the authority of Fresno officials, instead of the state. An attorney representing the residents said the case highlights the disparity in housing protections faced by mobile home residents. Hearing regarding: Jury Trial Assignment (est 7-10 days), set for 07/25/2022 at 1:30 PM before Hon. Construction 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. 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. "There's special funding available from the federal government and other investors to lend to these communities so that residents can purchase their parks themselves," said Thompson. As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. To receive the latest information about new communities, available properties and exciting changes to the communities we manage, send us an email by CLICKING HERE. The company, however, maintains the law doesnt require them to provide Spanish-language documents. That suit appealing the ordinance, applying to the park and rent increases on its units, was settled in 2005, when the owner agreed to dismiss the appeal. Mason said other tenants are more hesitant to speak out than she is, fearing retaliation in the form of even steeper rent hikes. The owner of Shady Lakes LLC is Bruce Davies, the same owner of Harmony Communities. With the rise in the rent, there is worry that they may not be able to make rent..