Danger at "The Ranch"?  What?

Development on Brawley's eastside along Best Road is ramping up with several new developments, however it seems as if new home builder Matthews Homes isn't connected to the City of Brawley's sewer system in accordance with California State Law. But why? 

The red danger sign and letter caught my attention, so to find out some answers as a concerned citizen, I made a few calls. 

Two calls and messages left for Matthews Homes representative "Teresa" were not returned. 

A call placed to the city building department based on a letter posted on location at the development indicates that Matthews is not in compliance with local or state housing laws. 

The letter dated January 3, 2008 reads as follows:

To Whom this may concern:

The following addresses have been posted by this department as unsafe for human
occupancy citing Section 17920 paragraph A line 14 , of the California Code of
Regulations (also known as the State Housing Law) which states that a lack of a
connection to a required sewage disposal system is a violation of said law.  In addition,
Section 104.2.5 of the California Building Code requires that the following structures not be
occupied.

You can read the full text of the letter by clicking here.

A call to the Mr. Soto's office referred me to the Public Works department to speak to Yasmin Arrellano.  According to the secretary, Ms. Arrellano was not available and I was transferred to an engineer named Guillermo. 

I asked Guillermo if I could ask some questions about this matter.  When I asked about the red danger sign and letter he indicated, the developer has not performed with its obligation to provide upgrades to the sewer pump station and the matter has now been referred to the legal department.   I asked him if he know when this matter would be resolved and he indicated the attorneys for each side have to work it out.

He added since there is no connection from the development to pump waste or water due the an inadequate pump station, the city has deemed the property as inhabitable.

When asked how long he expects this delay to take place he said hopefully it won't take too long as all parties in the matter have a lot of money just sitting there and I am sure the developer would want to recouperate their money by selling these homes.

As development on the east side of Brawley continues to move foward and hopefully Best Road will move out of its ever state of construction, it will be nice to see these projects and subdivisions grow into an integral part of life in the City of Brawley.

Hopefully Matthews Homes will continue its development of these single family homes and duplexes (attached homes) along with proposed condo's in the area to provide additional affordable housing options for those seeking a new place to call home in the City of Brawley. 

According to a sales brochure I saw in July 2007, it showed the entire subdivision to be quite a nice addition to Brawley's east side and this project would certainly change the landscape on this side of town forever by this very nice development.  

Prices for Sterling, which are duplexes were listed as "starting" at $236,990 for the 1449 square foot model.








Caption: Sales office for Sterling at The Ranch 01/04/2008


Caption: Sterling at The Ranch completed duplexes 01/04/2008



Prices for Wildhorse, which are single family homes were listed as "starting" at $286,990 for the 1709 square foot model.


Caption: Sales office for WildHorse at The Ranch 01/04/2008


Caption: WildHorse at The Ranch homes that completed 01/04/2008




Caption: Red Danger Sign and Letter from the City of Brawley posted January 3, 2008