She represents a group of about a dozen residents who are opposed to the sale and the rules that Harmony Communities plans to enforce, including not allowing dogs without leashes, requiring residents to clear the space between trailers of appliances, canopies, and other items. With the batching, the board approved three GPA projects on July 25 for a total of 3,937 new housing units in the county. }); Decision making is done collectively. 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. 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. Before the most recent increase it was at 72% bump. 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. The two General Plan amendment projects approved by the board of supervisors last month represent a total of 779 new housing units in Harmony Grove and Eden Valley, south of Escondido. Public Records Policy. Judge: Ross, Roger. The projects faced opposition from neighboring residents due to the fire risk of adding more density in a high fire hazard severity zone as well as exceeding the number of homes allowed in the General Plan. One concern Thompson has is that Fresnos rent control ordinance has not been tested in courts. Harmony Communities also recently purchased Trails End Mobile Home Park, now called La Hacienda. West. 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. , El Grupo Comunitario de San Miguel Cuevas (El Grupo Comunitario) is an unincorporated resident association that primarily represents low-wage farmworker families residing in Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park, a small mobile home community located approximately one mile south of Malaga in Fresno County.. Harmony Communities did not respond to requests for comment. Summons issued and filed. , He added that Shady Lakes is available for purchase. DocketCivil Case Cover Sheet filed by Braxton, Donna. CALIFORNIA RURAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE, INC. "So many people are using their exteriors as almost a junk yard and that is a fire danger," he said. 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 . return false; Merrifield has been an expert witness in several cases where property owners requested increases for properties in cities that have mobile home rent control ordinances. Some residents believe the rental increases that occurred shortly after the complaint was filed were retaliatory. Food/Restaurants The company was also involved in a controversial 2018 RV park rent hike in San Leandro, which does not have rent control. Law Receipt number 597503. We we're excited by their seemingly friendly agents throughout the process. 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. Ms. Jaymie Buchholz, Customer Service Specialist, Ms. Jan Scarborough, Marketing Coordinator. Website: www.harmonycommunities.com Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada Size: 201 to 500 Employees Type: Company - Private Revenue: Unknown / Non-Applicable Competitors: Unknown Harmony Communities Reviews 2.6 0 % Recommend to a Friend 3.0 Current Employee "great company" Apr 4, 2022 - Administrative Assistant Pros hours no weekends 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. The affiliates of Harmony Communities paid $9 million for the property, county documents show. In a recent letter to residents, the company said the increases will bring the average monthly rent to $650. Este sitio slo contiene contenido archivado. They want to be together.. They are still facing rent. BBB is here to help. It quickly became clear living conditions were unsafe. While Harmony increased rent, they failed to fix an issue with the on-site wastewater system, forcing residents to pay higher rent while suffering with the overwhelming smell of sewage. Judge: Ross, Roger. But to lower rents, they would have to buy at a price that wouldnt set in stone the increased rates. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. DocketRequest for Dismissal - Entire Action as to Donna Braxton, Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation, Matthew Davies Entered. 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. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Rancho Santa Fe Review. The Chico State graduate is passionate about being outdoors, cooking, creative writing and community-focused journalism and resilience. Search Harmony Communities With 42 communities and over 10,000 sites across North America, we have what you're looking for! Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. An attorney representing the residents said the case highlights the disparity in housing protections faced by mobile home residents. WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin, Copyright 2023 The Business Journal. Robert T. Waters in Department 11B. The 53-year-old man said all residents who are part of the lawsuit work in the field seasonally. Hearing Type: Jury Trial; Court Room: 11B; Result: Vacated; Judge: Robert T. Waters; Participant: Donna Braxton (Plaintiff); Participant: Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation (Defendant); Participant: Matthew Davies (Defendant), Hearing Type: Mandatory Settlement Conference; Court Room: 11B; Result: Vacated; Judge: Robert T. Waters; Participant: Donna Braxton (Plaintiff); Participant: Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation (Defendant); Participant: Matthew Davies (Defendant). 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. Epsteins letter reminded the landlord the park is bound by that judgment. Case Details Parties Documents Dockets Case Details Your questions and concerns are important to us. Judge: Ross, Roger. "I don't think we moved into a gated community where they can tell you exactly how you can have your yard," said resident Patricia Shawn. Well guide you through the process. The attorney, Mariah C. Thompson, works with California Rural Legal Assistance. Repairs and maintenance are usually baked into budgets. I do think you will all agree that a property needs to make a reasonable amount of money in order to stay in business and that the new rents are incredibly affordable and fair to all, said the letter, which is unsigned. 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. I was in the process of purchasing a new build home from Harmony Homes. They also said the park authorities refuse to provide notices in Spanish. } |, Shady Lakes highlights challenges for mobile home park residents, Sting operation leads to recovery of stolen bees, Experts: Nut prices, not water, account for swing in ag land values, Report: Tourism spending spikes in Central Valley, Amazon to open Fresno fulfillment center, create 2,500 jobs, WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Request for Dismissal filed by Braxton, Donna. Judge: Ross, Roger. 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. 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. We are currently in the process of buying a house from them in Bella Park. The park has been operating at a significant loss which we are attempting to remedy, the company said in the statement. Action Type: Summons - Civil; Judge: Ross, Roger. e.preventDefault(); Their lives are theyre constantly in crisis. They speak Mixteco. Grupo Comunitario De San Miguel Cuevas vs. Harmony Communities, Inc. Alliance Manufactured Homes, Inc. vs Madrone Estates, LLC et al. In total the supervisors are expected to hear seven GPAs by the end of this year, including Newland Sierra, a 2,135-unit development in Twin Oaks Valley north of Escondido and possibly the 1,746-unit Lilac Hills Ranch project in Valley Center. Further California law does not require the translation of documents to a language other than English.. 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. DocketComplaint Unlimited Civil (over $25,000) filed by Braxton, Donna. This site only contains archived content. Let us know how we can help. On 05/09/2022 this business's accreditation in the BBB was revoked by the BBB's Board of Directors due to failure by the business to adhere to the BBB requirement that Accredited Businesses meet and abide by the following standards: This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. The group of residents advocating for a cooperative is hoping the City of Fresno will support the idea before a judge later this month. Harmony immediately raised space rent by $130.00a 32% increase that made rents unaffordable to families living in the park. By continuing to use this website, you agree to UniCourts General Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Judge: Ross, Roger. Step inside Tioga-Sequoia in Merced, Fresno County initiates legal action against two Fresno politicians. She belittled my fiance and I because we look young and said how their error was a small problem in the world and that its not a big issue. Judge: Ross, Roger. 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 only good thing is they are willing to give us our money back to leave the contract. Now there's a plan to the sell Trails End to property company Harmony Communities. 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. Government In 2015, she won the Outstanding Journalist of the Year Award from the Nevada Press Association, and also received the Community Service Award. Harmony Communities did not respond to requests for comment. Residents paid $395 under the previous owners, less than a year ago. 2019-12-19, Santa Clara County Superior Courts | Contract | BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to tens of thousands of low-income California residents annually. var cbClass = custombox[0]; Visit CRLA.org for all our latest news & information. With the rise in the rent, there is worry that they may not be able to make rent.. 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. The management company also instituted 29 rules, which were described in the lawsuit as burdensome, unreasonable, oppressive, and unnecessary.. They didn't even spend 2 seconds trying to keep us as customers. Harmony chooses the color residents can paint their houses, the material, color, and height of their fences, and where air conditioners can be installed. 2019-12-17. The community suffered two destructive fires in April and June of 2021. But it only took four years under ownership of Shady Lakes LLC and managed by Harmony Communities both of which are owned by the same person to undergo the triple-digit increase in rent. Read More Business Details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus. Latest news from Rancho Santa Fe every Thursday for free. Company representatives denied the claims in both cases. Finally, one place to get all the court documents we need. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. DocketHearing regarding: Case Management Conference , set for 05/04/2021 at 8:30 AM before Hon. The park continues to operate at a loss and requires ongoing cash infusions by the owners to keep the park open. This case was filed in Fresno County Superior Courts, Fresno County BF Sisk Courthouse located in Fresno, California. Hearing Result: Vacated Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Case status updated to Disposed. Cleveland National Forest Foundation has a long history of challenging public agency collusion with sprawl developers that has ravaged forest, field and farm and left our cities bereft of transit, bike and walk infrastructure that would truly solve the housing and climate crisis, said Duncan McFetridge, director of CNFF. Negative reviews EVERYWHERE. 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. Use of editorial content without permission is strictly prohibited. Home from Harmony Homes the statement units in the palm of your hand promotional content from the Rancho Santa every. 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