Josephine homeowners press council for moratorium, investigation after alleged D.R. Horton roof and fence failures

Residents of Magnolia Point and nearby neighborhoods told the City of Josephine Council on May 12 that roofs and fences on newly built houses by D.R. Horton have repeatedly failed and asked the city to impose an immediate moratorium on D.R. Horton approvals and to open a formal investigation.

The comments came during the meeting’s public-comment period, where a resident described seeing shingles installed with one to two nails and showed photos he said demonstrate improper installation. Another speaker, who identified herself as part of a petition drive, delivered a written demand and said the petition includes 885 signatures from homeowners in Magnolia Point and other D.R. Horton developments.

Why it matters: petitioners said the alleged defects have led to water intrusion, repair costs and lost property value for owners of houses only a few years old. They asked the council to confirm action within 10 days and to hold a city-sponsored public hearing where affected residents could present evidence. The petition also warns of possible class-action litigation if the city does not respond.

Residents described multiple, concrete complaints: shingles with remaining plastic on the adhesive strip, too few nails per shingle, and missing nail penetrations in some areas; one resident referenced installation guidance from manufacturer IKO that, in “high wind areas,” requires more nails than what was observed. A speaker said he had personally repaired several roofs on Silo Circle and had authorization to represent an elderly neighbor who could not attend. Another speaker said she has incurred about $2,500 in roof repairs to date and expected further repairs; a different speaker said she has lost shingles three times in roughly three years in Magnolia.

At the meeting, Mayor Tierney said staff would “look into it” and that the city would follow up; a council member later asked staff to add an update on Magnolia Point to a future agenda. No formal moratorium or city investigation was approved on May 12; residents’ demands were delivered as public comment and the council directed staff to report back.

Officials and residents repeatedly framed the issue as a combination of possible builder warranty problems, questions about whether prior permitting or inspections met state or local code, and financial strain for first-time homeowners. Speakers named the developer D.R. Horton and referenced warranties and state building-code requirements but did not cite specific state statutes or code sections at the meeting.

Next steps: The council did not take a formal vote on the petition or impose a moratorium. Staff told the council it would examine what the city can do, and the council asked for at least an update on Magnolia Point at an upcoming meeting.