Lawsuit against city and contractor could grow
August 28, 2003
The Orange County Register
Homeowners near the planned senior center are suing the City of Fountain Valley and building contractors, claiming that senior center construction is damaging their homes.
Their attorney said the lawsuit, which names 32 residents as plaintiffs, has room to grow.
"I anticipate that other people will be joining the lawsuit," said Anthony Witteman, [an associate] in The Los Angeles Quisenberry Law Firm.
The suit claims that since demolition of the former school site buildings started in November of 2002, "'earthquake-type shaking' caused damage to walls, chimneys, swimming pools, concrete slabs and walkways."
The suit filed August 15 stated that "plaintiffs have sustained and continue to sustain significant damages to their homes and real and personal property as a result of the Defendants' development activities on the project."
City administrative services manager Don Heinbuch said the main construction contractor, Meta Housing Advisors, purchased an insurance policy on the project that protects the city's interests and liability in the event of liability claims resulting from project construction.
