Despite the high water tables, expansive soils, lack of local utilities and lack of surrounding transportation infrastructure, KB Homes tried to build a project in south Loveland named Aspen Knolls.
Loveland’s City Council even approved the use of eminent domain back in 2004 and forced nearby property owners to give-up land so those road improvements could be made to accommodate the development. The owners, facing eminent domain, instead agreed to terms with KB Homes in 2004.
In 2006, as KB Homes was defending a lawsuit in Loveland on another development and preparing to leave the state, McWhinney bought Aspen Knolls at a bargain $3 million — along with the commitments to improve the roads etc…
McWhinney tried to “down” zone the property and get the water shares that go with the property back from the city (they went into the city’s “water bank” when the development was approved) valued at $4 million. One nearby property owner, Hein Family Trust, tired of the broken promises over the road improvements and sued McWhinney to enforce thair agreement signed with KB Homes back in 2004. You will need to read the story here for all the details.
We apologize for the long story but please take the time to read it if you can. It is interesting that McWhinney was trying to strip the land of the water shares and leave it underdeveloped in south-west Loveland. Hardly the image they try to promote with their public relations.
Taking some 300 to 400 approved new units of housing in Loveland out of the local economy is hardly the action of a “pro-growth” bunch looking to improve the community through new projects.
Look carefully and you will see it is really just about the money. They look for the quickest way to profit and move-on. That isn’t always in the long-term interest of our community.
We understand from your story that McWhinney is coming back to city council to ask for an extension of the reduced fees.
What about the application to take back and sell all the water shares? Which are they trying to accomplish? Develop or strip the land bare and leave it?
Do you know???? We live nearby and would like to know what the hell is going on. Good story by the way
McWhinney’s application to “down” zone the property to DR and take back all the water shares from the city is still active. McWhinney apparently pulled the item twice before it went before Loveland’s Planning Commission saying they needed to resolve the Hein matter first.
McWhinney has also, we understand, asked Don Williams to put their request to have the reduced fees (using 2001 rates) placed back on the City Council agenda for February.
Our guess is they still want to cash-out on the water shares through the down zoning but if that doesn’t work they want the affordable housing fee reduction extended in case they need to sell it and having permit fees frozen at 2001 rates makes the development more attractive to investors and other developers.
Whether or not the city council will appreciate having their time wasted by considering a request only necessary if McWhinney goes to plan B that doesn’t even impact the property until 2012 remains to be seen.
You are correct, however, McWhinney appears to be applying to the city to do completely different and incapable things – strip the property of its zoning to regain and sell the water shares or go forward to develop the property using 2001 fees.
Seems pretty important to me, we elect John Case to the Loveland City Council because if we don’t McWhinney will again have a council that does pretty much what he wants and this appears to be a really hugh mess that Loveland or the neighbors to this, do not need.
Dee,
I understand your consern about the McWhinney’s having free run if the “establishment” stays in power on the city council. I have tryed to make my stand on the McWhinney’s and Crnterra very clear. We need to hold them in check and hold them to there contractual obligations. I just dont want to be grouped in with the others that are running in this election. I wouold love to speak with you and try and win your support.
970-308-0374
Adam Koniecki
UPDATE ON KB HOME: Housing is down because housing does not respect it’s customers.. KB Home just Google “KB Home Sucks”. KB will ignore your complaints. The Board of Directors does not care about the quality or the reputation. KB Home only interested in quick profits at your expense and time – with the cheap materials and undocumented workers at this job site. They will undervalue your home just to suit their short term business objective. There is no Lemon Law for your new home in these United States so you’re stuck with it. The housing industry is not regulated. Years later they will still be in your home trying to fix what should have been done correctly in the first place. The Corporate greed still running high in America – it’s called KB Home. BTW Bruce Karatz the former CEO of KB faces up to 60 years in prison when he gets sentenced September 2010. Leslie Moonves is on KB Home’s board and runs CBS, wonder why KB Home does not appear on 60 minutes? Ask you salesperson about Bruce Karatz and his stock manipulation. The rats are jumping ship from KB Home, Wendy Shiba General Council and secretary stepping down shortly after Ron Burkle’s resignation as Board Member. KB Home does not publish their warranty online? They have a FTC Consent order, it states if you are not 100% satisfied they will buy your home back within one year. How many have they bought back? ZERO! The Mozila trial didn’t start yet, what’s the deal? More time to play GOLF with Friends of Mozila? KB Home Countrywide mortgage, became Countrywide…Then Bank of Italy became… Bank of America. Paper is just one side of the story the other is the physical product the wood and nails home. Build lemons then wonder why? I have started the Radio show where you can call in about your homebuilder. Check it out at a kb home sucks. Karatz just hired an appeals defense team. The teams Sr partner was the head of the FTC at the same time Karatz was CEO of KB Home? Can I smell some conflict of interest on my shoes? Join us on Blog talk radio for our first ever national call in radio show to discuss your KB Home.