Citizens approved the measure by a 75% margin. Judge halts high housing development in East, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Judge halts high housing development in East Bay hills. We make a lot more than I thought I would make. They are also in other counties ruining them step by step. Commission and Bonus structure designed to benefit company more than employees, leaving you underpaid. All rights reserved. The city approved an agreement with Seeno that established guidelines for a permanent greenbelt buffer along the inner edges of the boundary. We, "Having three children played a large part in our decision on where to buy. Employees also rated Discovery and Seeno Homes 2.1 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.3 for culture and values and 2.6 for career opportunities. The problem with that project is what theyre doing is building on open space, Lees said. He later earned a masters degree from the USC School of Journalism. 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 39% of Discovery and Seeno Homes employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. 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. If we were to reverse course today, Im not sure how many people, given what happened to Lennar would be willing to come in and participate in a process with Concord, Guy Bjerke, the citys economic development director, said about the prospect of rejecting Seeno and rebooting the search for a master developer. However, we do not assume any liability for inaccuracies. This is what has become known as a builder bailout scheme. Already purchased a DeNova home? In its lawsuit, Lennar accused the city of systematically hindering and delaying the project to give time for the anti-development initiative to get passed and to bleed the project dry. We all know Seeno runs Pittsburg, and is the areas worst example of environmental consciousness. Arrogant managers, unrealistic expectations & timelines. Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism. Seeno is no stranger to the project. Whittemore also bought nine homes in the names of his children using the money from the Seeno acquisition, the lawsuit said, and in 2009 and 2010, Thomas Seeno personally loaned Whittemore $1.4 . As if any open space is a bad thing. Last year, Seeno. Join. 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. Seeno III said Thursday the company has an entirely new staff, and now has more oversight. Last week, a Democratic Party of Contra Costa County committee rejected a resolution opposing Seenos selection after party members worried that taking a stance would jeopardize council members seats in future elections. Your email address will not be published. Ft. 1 - 2 Bed 1 - 2 Bath. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. By far the Worst company I have ever had the displeasure of working for!! OAKLAND A major Northern California home developeron Thursday pleaded guilty to bank fraud on behalf of his home sales company and was ordered to pay $11 millionfor a builder bailout scam that he contends he knew nothing about. 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. Exactly what you said. 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. Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. Since it is a family owned company if you were accepted by management they definitely treated you like a dysfunctional member. We were the "Face on The Company.". Benicia Herald Candidate Questionnaire responses, Auction of Jerrold Turner paintings to benefit Arts Benicia, Benicia City Council appoints Interim City Manager, Benicia Firefighter tests positive for COVID-19, Benicias Troop 7007 adds two new Eagle Scouts to its ranks, Candidate Spotlight: EDB Chair Lionel Largaespada taking another shot at council seat, San Francisco Bay dredging proposal a handout to oil industry, After 22 years in business, Lindsay Art Glass is closing this fall. He previously reported in Contra Costa County and before joining the Bay Area News Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara. This is our third home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno. A very important factor when buying anything is the service after the purchase. 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). 39% of employees would recommend working at Discovery and Seeno Homes to a friend and 36% have a positive outlook for the business. It makes it easy to go into the sales office everyday and give it your all. The suit followed the Concord City Councils decision to award the master development contract for that project to another team instead of Seenos team. Shahid is next scheduled to appear in court for a status hearing on Dec. 10, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. PST before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers of the Northern District of California. Jerome Page: Its not inequality, its envy. wheeler and thompson funeral home; albert seeno net worth. It would fragment open space and damage wildlife corridors. Lennar Homes, the nations second-largest homebuilder, is seeking a court order overturning La Habras November vote blocking its Rancho La Habra project on the Westridge Golf Club. Save Mount Diablo is not opposed to all growth. Inspiring cities. They support the park district and the park project.. No regard/plan for customer service. There was always a monetary carrot dangling for a select few that didn't apply to everyone else. Councilman Edi Birsan, who vigorously defended the Seeno family at the August meeting from what he called personal attacks, said Tuesday he doesnt expect the companies history of litigation to be a factor in the naval weapons project. We are proud to support our law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting this case.. Even thought they had a number at main office to call. Pittsburg council members could not be reached for comment on Friday about the court ruling. The response was classic Seeno: A lawsuit charged that the city's construction permit didn't spell out a precise height. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. But opponents of Seeno have won the latest skirmish, at least for now. With that being said you can only be pushed so far. DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design. I really enjoyed the office culture, as my space was my space. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. During slow times it was extremely hard to be positive and I feel as though I have tough nerves. Selling their homes is like having an over-priced listing. Add Benefits. Awesome company! Luminescence will feature Our New Home Specialist is here to answer any questions you have to help choose the home thats right for you. So where is the personal responsibility?. Copyright 2023 DeNova Homes. Keep track of your documents and receive updates on the progress of your new home with MyDeNova. Actual porch and window configuration varies from artists renderings. Specifically, the line of credit could be reduced or terminated, or additional collateral would be required to secure the line of credit. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? The companies also previously sued the Navy to halt it from transferring its property for any development. Concord council doubles down on Seeno companies, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Concord council doubles down on Seeno companies for Naval Weapons Station redevelopment. 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. Faria Land Investors, a Seeno/Discovery Builders associate, wants to build some 1,500 homes clustered in the valleys in the southwest Pittsburg hills, which overlook the former Concord Naval . During the entire time I was there, I never met the HR Manager. No effort is made when new people start to introduce them to others in the company or provide any kind of orientation or overall training. Duet Homes and Single Family HomesPetaluma, CA, 1,395 - 2,380 Sq. Lees said he favors new construction and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals. The 1,650 homes, as approved last year by the City Council, would be clustered in valleys along the ridgeline, encompassing 341 acres. If you are looking to get your feet wet in the new home industry give them a try but dont have high expectations. Are you having trouble accessing your account? The judge ordered Seeno to remove things like an air- conditioner. The Faria project would change the beautiful green hills forever by annexing the property to the City of Pittsburg and locating 1,650 new residences far from jobs, transit, and services. He agreed to pay a $8 million fine, with interest, over five years. 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. Seeno Homes House 6communities Discovery Homes and Seeno Homes are honored to be one of the top home builders in Northern California year after year. He has been tracking rents and home prices, and has explored solutions to critical problems such as Southern Californias housing shortage and affordability crisis. 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. 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. CONS: family owned company does not have checks and balances. The development team includes Seeno companies Discovery Builders, Inc. and Faria Investors LLC. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit bank fraud is 30 years in prison, a fine of $1 million or twice the gain or loss and restitution to be decided by the court. One hears horror stories when buying a home where workmanship is poor and the builder does not stand behind their mission statement. Really? This is our third home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno. Hmmm.. Where do I begin?? Lastly, the money!!!! Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Looking for a new home? 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.. Carey Hendrickson and Jason Sterlino, sales managers for Seeno properties, were previously charged. The lawsuit also alleges the district failed to assess the sites biological resources, relying on old data. Pac-12 media rights: Our (final) predictions for the revenue, media partners, expansion decisions and more, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Shahids plea agreement explained that it was important to the scheme to maintain inflated property values because if the home and property values dropped, the value of the collateral would drop and the line of credit would be put at risk. Shahid agreed that the losses that resulted from foreclosures or short sales on these homes were approximately $75 million; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which purchased mortgage loans used to pay for Seeno and Discovery Homes, lost almost $3.5 million. Very demeaning and overall vile! The best aspects about working for Seeno was the income that you could achieve. We will continue to pursue executives and corporations who fraudulently took advantage of the country's financial turmoil for their own corporate gain., Shahid participated in a fraudulent scheme involving over $230 million in mortgage loans, many of which ultimately defaulted, to the detriment of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the American taxpayers, said Special Agent in Charge DeMarco. Lennar also accused the city of demanding a $40 million development fee at one point, calling the levy unlawful and unrelated to any reasonable relationship to the citys services, the lawsuit said. Traffic on Bailey Road, San Marco Blvd., and Highway 4 would be made much worse. Seeno, Discovery Builders sue to halt regional, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Seeno, Discovery Builders sue to halt regional park plan, Navy hands over part of old Concord weapons site for creation of huge regional park, Plan to put 1,500 homes in the Pittsburg hills gets first nod, | East Contra Costa County editor/reporter. At NewHomeSource.com, we update the content on our site on a nightly basis. The city council ignored hundreds of letters and public comments that opposed the project. 20% of Complaints are filed by Homeowners and/or Borrowers; 20% of Complaints are filed by Appraisers; 15% of Complaints are filed by "Others" (Realtors, Lawyers, Law Enforcement . Add Interview. Since we have been here, our kitchen has flooded from a fridge water supply line that malfunctioned, exhaust fans sound like freight . And his employees have been indicted as individuals and he has not. Schedule a tour today and take advantage of this limited time opportunity before it's gone. Do Benicians want tar-sands oil brought here? An official website of the United States government. 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. Copyright 2001-2023 Builders Digital Experience, LLC. Their suit said they are owed about $30 million by the Wingfield . To see all the homes youve saved, visit the My Favorites section of your account. The development company, owned by prominent Bay Area builders Thomas Seeno and Albert Seeno Jr., filed suit in district court in Las Vegas on June 8 seeking to overturn King's decision. The project faced enormous opposition at the outset from both housing advocates who oppose urban sprawl and Pittsburg residents who feared an influx of more than a thousand homes south of the city. Answer: Complaints filed against Appraisers: 45% of Complaints are filed by Lenders, AMCs, and Government Agencies (FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FDIC, OCC, etc.) 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. 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.. In 3 years I only took 5 days off. 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. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence. Ayman Shahid Admits to Participation in Builder Bailout Scheme to Inflate Home Prices during Peak of Mortgage Crisis. 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. The district is creating a large regional park on the former weapons site. This employer has not claimed their Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community. 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. The U.S. Navy transferred almost 2,216 acres of the defunct weapons station to the district in 2019 to create a new regional park in partnership with the National Park Service. Pursuant to the plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to the lead conspiracy count, which encompassed the conduct alleged in the remaining counts. Please enter a valid location or select an item from the list. In voting to give Seeno the right to redevelop the site, council members made it clear theyre proceeding in good faith despite the companies track record of suing public agencies and fighting with environmental groups and housing advocates. 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. 39% of employees would recommend working at, According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Discovery and Seeno Homes employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.6 out of 5. Bjerke further warned that if the city were to revert to square one, the Navy could grow impatient and decide to auction off its former weapons site land instead of transferring it to Concord. 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. Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. Hemann told the judge Thursday that the FBI did a thorough investigation into Shahids claim, but could not find evidence to proveSeeno IIIs involvement to a jury. 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. Management is not open to suggestions or innovation. Despite a thorough environmental analysis of the new Regional Parks plans, which include public access for recreation, permanent preservation of the land as natural habitat, and a joint visitor center with the National Park Services that will also honor the Black sailors who died in the massive Port Chicago explosion, Mr. Seenos Discovery Builders and Faria Land Investors filed suit to stop the new regional park. Save thousands on your dream home during DeNova Homes' Red Tag Sales Event! Love the environment, we are all treated like a big family. Last, and certainly not least, is the service. Shahid told investigators that Seeno III knew about the criminal activity. Login to your MyDeNova Homes account.Dont have an account? The city of La Habra and its city council have willfully disregarded the law and were unduly influenced and coerced through a series of back-door threats and false information propagated by an angry group of fanatics, the lawsuit states. EVERYONE takes lunch at the same time, 12 noon to 1pm. 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. 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. Seeno also previously sued the U.S. Navy to stop its transfer of nearby land to the city of Concord for eventual development of a 13,000-home community. Paying off someone in the city. James Colopy of Farella Braun + Martel, the legal firm representing Discovery Builders, said his client years earlier had expressed concerns about converting the former weapons station to a large public park. Oh and can you say MICRO-MANAGE?! And the mitigation adopted for many impacts is plainly inadequate or ineffective. The City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements. Building the homes would require extensive grading of the site, which Save Mount Diablo claimed could result in landslides and the destruction of creeks and streams. "Save Mount Diablo is simply trying to protect one of the East Bay's most prominent and well-known ridgelines. Tour 3 Designer Decorated Model Homes Today! The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office in San Franciscos Special Prosecutions Unit. If approved by the City Council, the Local Agency Formation Commission still must approve the propertys annexation before homes can be built. By comparison, next door and above the new park, Faria would include hundreds of acres of impacts. The overall vibe is a somber place to work. Before joining the Orange County Register in 1990, he covered a wide range of topics for daily newspapers in Kansas, El Paso and Dallas. They've been criticized for allegedly manipulating local politicians in their. Aside from their favorite agents everyone else was treated like dirt. Discover your perfect home in a DeNova community. Just keeping the buyers spirits up and pushing time lines along with construction and financing. 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. Just as Pittsburg residents criticized the Faria development, Concord residents last year took the council to task for handing the citys future to the Seeno companies.