Ft. 3 - 4 Bed 2 - 3 Bath. The city approved an agreement with Seeno that established guidelines for a permanent greenbelt buffer along the inner edges of the boundary. 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. Former Discovery Sales Vice President Ayman Shahid and sales executive Carey Hendrickson also pleaded guilty andare awaiting sentencing. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Discovery and Seeno Homes. We are proud to support our law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting this case.. The overall vibe is a somber place to work. 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. Who let the Seenos into Pittsburg and why havent they all been kicked out of Pittsburg and other places long ago? 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. Plans to develop the hills date back to 2005 when voter-approved Measure P moved the Faria site within Pittsburgs urban boundary. As part of that settlement, the developers promised to build the homes back a ways from property lines so they would be less visible from the eventual parkland. As part of the deal, Seeno promised to build a recreation center in Pittsburg. Jim Lees, co-founder of Save La Habra, noted that none of the proposed housing would help La Habra meet state-mandated affordable housing requirements. We are very happy with the courts decision.. 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. Employees are treated badly daily. However, we do not assume any liability for inaccuracies. DeNova Homes reserves the right to make changes in price, material, and specifications without notice and without liability for such changes. The East Bay Regional Park District adopted the Land Use Plan for the new park last year on July 7, 2020. Actual porch and window configuration varies from artists renderings. I really enjoyed working for Seeno Homes, as it was the first builder to hire me with little experience. Ayman Shahid Admits to Participation in Builder Bailout Scheme to Inflate Home Prices during Peak of Mortgage Crisis. By comparison, next door and above the new park, Faria would include hundreds of acres of impacts. Commission and Bonus structure designed to benefit company more than employees, leaving you underpaid. 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. Since it is a family owned company if you were accepted by management they definitely treated you like a dysfunctional member. 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. It also failed to discuss appropriate alternatives. Love the environment, we are all treated like a big family. The Faria project would sit directly above the new park on a ridgeline, degrading views from surrounding areas. Shahid admitted he and others took steps to ensure information that would reflect poorly on the value of the homes was kept out of bank loan files. 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. 27 February 2023 . The final vote to formally approve Seeno might happen this October. 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Jason Sterlino was sentenced in February to six months in prison for what Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hemann called minor fraud conducted to further the scheme. With that being said you can only be pushed so far. Whenever we have had a problem, no matter how major or minor, the response from the service department, both prompt and courteous, has been exceptional. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! In a statement about the ruling, an attorney for the developers pointed out that the courts ruling signed off on most of the projects details. 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. NOW SELLING! 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 company was also placed on probation for five years, which gives the federal government another way to ensure payments are made, Hemann said. Open space, even privately owned open space is just too precious and too scarce to turn over part of it to development, former Mayor Tom Beamish said during an October city council meeting that set the stage for a 3-0 vote on Nov. 2 to kill the project. Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. 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. 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). 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. Sales & marketing by DeNova Homes Sales, DRE #01247582 Equal Housing Opportunity. 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. 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. Publisher of EastCountyToday and host of several Podcast Shows if you can, please hit the donate button and show support. "Save Mount Diablo is simply trying to protect one of the East Bay's most prominent and well-known ridgelines. driving a golf cart and free Biscotti cookies at the office. 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. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? According to reviews on Glassdoor, employees commonly mention the pros of working at Discovery and Seeno Homes to be coworkers, career development and the cons to be senior leadership, benefits, management. Verify your email to use filters. The company is constantly opening new communities and we are never expected to travel far to our communities. 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. From San Jose to Petaluma to Manteca, DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design. 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. 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The city is evaluating the lawsuit and has no comment at this time, saidRobert Ferrier,assistant to the city manager. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! We very much appreciate owning a Seeno built home and would not hesitate to purchase another one. Discovery and Seeno Homes has an overall rating of 2.9 out of 5, based on over 16 reviews left anonymously by employees. 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. Awesome company! On March 30, 2021, Save Mount Diablo filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Pittsburg's approval of the Seeno-owned Discovery Builders' 1,650-unit Faria project, on the ridgeline between Pittsburg and Concord. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, with assistance from IRS-CI and FHFA-OIG. But, he added, Discovery Builders believes an environmental review of the park proposal was inconsistent with California Environmental Quality Act requirements. It wont, Seeno III said during an apology to the judge. We seek to ensure that all of the data presented on the site regarding new homes and new home communities is current and accurate. The city of Concord could be sued for not following it's own rules, just as Pittsburg is being sued for not following it's own legal guidelines. Pursuant to the plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to the lead conspiracy count, which encompassed the conduct alleged in the remaining counts. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work for a such a great family owned business. Carey Hendrickson and Jason Sterlino, sales managers for Seeno properties, were previously charged. 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. The EIR failed to provide an adequate project description, for example, by omitting information about the location of elements of the planned residential development and about related public services, such as water consumption rates. Among other flaws, the EIR lacks adequate analysis of numerous impacts, including biological resources, water supply, wildfire, traffic, and land use. Founded Seeno Homes in 1938 We are dedicated to embodying the idea of the Discovery Difference, a mission to enhance your buying experience and offer new homes that exemplify the highest standards of craftsmanship. The ruling also determined that the city failed to account for the possible environmental impacts of 150 accessory dwelling units, which were added to the development just before the council approved it, according to Save Mount Diablo. I and a partner set up the office to our liking and just "Sold" homes. The lawsuit also alleges the district failed to assess the sites biological resources, relying on old data. Lees said he favors new construction and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals. 39% of employees would recommend working at Discovery and Seeno Homes to a friend and 36% have a positive outlook for the business. The problem with that project is what theyre doing is building on open space, Lees said. In connection with his plea agreement, Shahid admitted that he conspired with others to fraudulently cause bank underwriters to approve mortgage loans for unqualified buyers during the height of the financial crisis. As a result, rare habitat for special status species would be lost. The park district opposed the project. Contact Information Customer Contact Ms. Nancy McMillin, Executive Assistant Additional Contact Information Phone Numbers (888) 414-6637. Breathtaking nature. First of all the management is a joke, they are all very condescending. Located throughout the Bay Area with all the latest amenities. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Hours are very strict - either 7am to 4pm or 8am to 5pm. Council members Carlyn Obringer and Laura Hoffmeister, who voted in August to give the job to rival developer Brookfield Properties, joined their colleagues Tuesday to make the Seeno teams selection unanimous. Over 325 Seeno and Discovery homes during the period of 2006 to 2008 involved the use of incentives, amounting to sales in excess of $200 million. 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. Copyright 2023 DeNova Homes. Add Benefits. Exactly what you said. The pay at that time was the most that I have ever made, in my life. According to Clement, Throughout the East Bay, residents have worked hard to protect our ridges and views, and to defend our parks. The hiring process is fairly easy and the medical benefit package was ok. Those are the only real pros that I can really recall. Luminescence at Liberty is DeNova Homes' newest 55 + Active Adult gated community in Rio Vista, California. The Seeno bunch should be driven out of California. Their suit said they are owed about $30 million by the Wingfield . You have to do a thorough analysis of your projects impacts before you lock in project approvals, Winter King, the environmental groups attorney, said in a statement. 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. 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. Jerome Page: Its not inequality, its envy. But opponents of Seeno have won the latest skirmish, at least for now. 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. Really? 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. Before joining the Orange County Register in 1990, he covered a wide range of topics for daily newspapers in Kansas, El Paso and Dallas. 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. Delightful climate. 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. Arrogant managers, unrealistic expectations & timelines. It is my expectation that the development group is going to operate in a good-faith manner with the community, with the City Council, with city staff and key stakeholders, Obringer said. Doing is building on open space, lees said he favors new construction and La. Area with all the latest skirmish, at least for now all the management is a family and! New communities and we are all treated like a big family relying old. 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