Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Services Errors will cost my Family $70K

He fixed the septic, but somehow managed to piss them off in the process, so as of now, he'd have to tear down 2/3rds of his house to satisfy the code Nazis.

Im probably about to piss them off too.  Im in the process of working with two local news outlets to get my story published.  If the county stands by their work, they should have nothing to hide. But if this story embarrasses them...that's on them.

Can’t wait to see you on the news

Can’t wait to see you on the news

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Can’t wait to see you on the news

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I just wish it was for largest bluefin pulled from the bay instead of this...

Can’t wait to see you on the news

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I just wish it was for largest bluefin pulled from the bay instead of this...

That story is up and coming. Stay tuned

So you misrepresented the size of the structure on the 2016 permit application with a wink and a nod to the then current county inspection officer?

Don't do that.  Permits can be suspended or revoked and there's no way to prove the wink and nod.  That happened up here complete with the inspector taking bribes and its a complete shitshow now.

Sounds like the county is playing hardball, which is unfortunate, but perhaps there is a mandate to change the culture in the planning department and this is part of it.  Otherwise, why wouldn't your county supervisor get involved?  You're just caught in the net.  Sucks.

So you misrepresented the size of the structure on the 2016 permit application with a wink and a nod to the then current county inspection officer?

I dont understand what you are saying?  I had nothing to do with the 2016 permit. The seller (Kovalam LLC - an investment Co. from San Diego) arranged that permit process.  THEY misrepresented the bedroom count and got an unpermittable system permitted.

So you misrepresented the size of the structure on the 2016 permit application with a wink and a nod to the then current county inspection officer?

I dont understand what you are saying?  I had nothing to do with the 2016 permit. The seller (Kovalam LLC - an investment Co. from San Diego) arranged that permit process.  THEY misrepresented the bedroom count and got an unpermittable system permitted.

You weren't involved at all in the 2016 permit process?  Did you sign anything, anywhere, at any time regarding the permit application?

Find an attorney who will advise you specifically about any liability for fraud, latent construction defect, etc. against Kovalam LLC.  Don't wait. The limitations period started when you knew or should have known of the fraud, deceit, defect, etc.

Not sure it's time to fight it in the press quite yet.  You may have someone on the hook to make you whole.

So you misrepresented the size of the structure on the 2016 permit application with a wink and a nod to the then current county inspection officer?

I dont understand what you are saying?  I had nothing to do with the 2016 permit. The seller (Kovalam LLC - an investment Co. from San Diego) arranged that permit process.  THEY misrepresented the bedroom count and got an unpermittable system permitted.

You weren't involved at all in the 2016 permit process?  Did you sign anything, anywhere, at any time regarding the permit application?

Find an attorney who will advise you specifically about any liability for fraud, latent construction defect, etc. against Kovalam LLC.  Don't wait. The limitations period started when you knew or should have known of the fraud, deceit, defect, etc.

Not sure it's time to fight it in the press quite yet.  You may have someone on the hook to make you whole.

We discussed this option with our lawyer. He advised this as being expensive and uncertain. Said Kovalam is very likely to fight back legally, and even if we did win, it would probably not be worth the cost of the lawsuit-which would cost just as much as the septic upgrade.  I have pretty much accepted defeat at this point. Im just trying to put the county in the spotlight now. After the upgrade is complete, I plan to reply to my original email to EHS and Supervisors with a "Thank You Note". I.E Thank you for showing me how you (SC County) does business. You are unreliable, and unpredictable, and I will be very guarded in the future. It was an important lesson I will not soon forget. Ect. 

I have a contact at the Santa Cruz Sentinel who would like to write an article about not my story specifically, but rather a history of County Failures and mismanagement. If you or anyone you know has a similar or relevant experience, please reach out to me so that I can put you in contact with my guy. Lets not let the count's malpractice go unchallenged.   

https://nextdoor.com/p/H7yJ-bjpDDjG?utm_source=share&extras=MjgwNTk1ODc%3D

I live in the wrong county, but good luck with this. I hope the code Nazis get there comeuppance.

Matt I feel your pain.  I bought my house in SCruz county in 1996 accepting the onus of an as-yet incompleted permit process.  Previous owner added a dining room and had to get a permit  process started to sell the house.  I got a punch list and made all necessary repairs/upgrades.  took a few months.  then the inspector came. He found something else I needed to do before approving the permit, of course.  Another, different inspector came next. Oh, my window next to the french doors doesn't have a safety glass 'bug.' Can't sign off till you fix that." fucking french doors are all glass, no safety bug, but that's OK it's not in their rulebook.  The final inspector #3 showed up and before I let him through the door I gave him a shopping bag full of fresh picked Haas avacodo's and got him to promise to look at the bug on the window and nothing else before I'd let him in the house.  He did.  I passed the permit approved.  OMG a year later and so frustrating. Same thing, young family two working parents, etc. 

I vowed never to let the County near my house again. Done my best to fly under the radar. I heard earlier in this century the Santa Cruz Planning Department employed more people than the Los Angeles planning department.  It is a swollen infected bureaucracy whose primary purpose is to justify and solidify its own existence.  The supervisor wimping out does not surprise me at all. Remember his campaign "I'll be different, I'll be better" just like they all say.

Please get it out there in the media.For a long time there was at least some back pressure on the BOS and Planning Dept, but it seems most have given up.

BTW, I know your house very well. My friends Steve Heigel and Amy Rucker used to own it before they moved to Port Townsend WA, where they own and operate a kayak business.  Steve was a world-class (Champion) kayak surfer, and Amy worked in education.  They moved after Amy developed anxiety problems, terrified a tree was going to fall on their house (No kidding!)

In sympathy

Bushy

PS I'd dog Zach Friend if it was me, insist on a meeting remind him he's a public SERVANT.  Even if he can't help you he should be willing to meet.  How many of your tax dollars are spent on the board of stupidvisers and their "staff."  They're arrogant and condescending by their nature and the political culture of Santa Cruz, and most other coastal communities in CA. 

Thank you Bushy. Im doing everything in my power to share my story with as many people as I can reach. Ive heard some horror stories about some CZU victims dealings with the county. I hope this message reaches them, and I hope they are willing to speak out. We can get a story circulating if we coordinate.  I don't expect to change the outcome of my (or anybody's) situation, but do hope to spread the word of their incompetence, mismanagement, fraud (or what ever you choose to call it). People need to know what they are dealing with before they choose to get the county involved.

Amy's tree anxiety was very much founded. They got out just in time. The only thing scarier than the trees, is the though of relying on the county for do their job.

that is ridiculous

Dang, what a shitshow. I’m getting caught on posts. Sorry you have to deal with this bs bureaucracy, Matt.   Let me know if you want your story detailed in an article by The Good Times…I know a guy.