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Country Club Plaza business owners, residents and owner spar over mold, encampments and county code enforcement
Summary
Multiple residents and a Country Club Plaza vendor told the Board of Supervisors on July 22 that abandoned buildings, encampments and repeated code violations are harming the Arden Arcade neighborhood and asked the county for stronger nuisance abatement.
Multiple residents and a Country Club Plaza vendor told the Board of Supervisors on July 22 that abandoned buildings, encampments and repeated code violations are harming a neighborhood in Arden Arcade. The speakers asked the county to take stronger enforcement steps against absentee landlords.
Resident testimony: Holly Tolbert described vandalism, homeless encampments, toxic mold and the new presence of illicit activity around vacant properties near schools and businesses. “The common theme here seems to be lack of nuisance abatement,” Tolbert said, and urged the board to move beyond letters to property owners and consider fines and legal actions used by other cities.
Property-owner and vendor perspectives: Orlando Baturaro, the owner of a WaveMax laundry facility under construction at Country Club Plaza, said he halted work after finding excessive mold in January and urged the county to reconsider enforcement of the California Toxic Mold Protection Act (he referenced Health and Safety Code material in testimony). Baturaro told supervisors commercial mold responses have been inconsistent and said moisture and roof leaks are recurring contributors that can lead to structural decay and hazards. Alvin Kimbrell, a vendor who depends on the mall, testified the property has improved since new ownership in 2022 and said the plaza provides vital jobs and economic activity.
Agency response and outreach: A sheriff’s representative invited residents to a quarterly community meeting where code enforcement staff would be present; the clerk also reminded the public of existing code-enforcement and nuisance-abatement processes. County staff and supervisors said county code-enforcement work is ongoing and referenced planned local forums where residents can connect with enforcement and law-enforcement staff.
Board action: No formal board action or new ordinance was adopted at the meeting. Supervisors thanked residents and encouraged attendance at upcoming community meetings where code-enforcement staff and the sheriff would be present to discuss specific complaints.
Ending: Residents pressed the board for fines and stronger enforcement for vacant-property owners; property owners and vendors urged practical, consistent enforcement and repairs to prevent safety hazards and economic losses.
