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Shipyard homeowners accuse Lennar of misleading marketing; Commission urges direct talks
Summary
Homeowners at the San Francisco Shipyard told the Commission Nov. 7 they were repeatedly told by Lennar sales staff that certain lots would be parks; they say recent developer communications and late letters failed to resolve the dispute and asked the Commission to press for an in‑person meeting rather than legal counsel alone.
Homeowners at the San Francisco Shipyard used a Nov. 7 Commission meeting to press allegations that Lennar misled buyers by removing affordable buildings and substituting parks from marketing materials. Several owners asked the Commission to require the developer to meet directly with residents and to delay certain approvals until the issues are resolved.
Outside counsel for Lennar, Robert Smiley, told the Commission he was appearing on Lennar’s behalf and said Lennar “is prepared to meet with the homeowners” but that the commission meeting was not the forum for litigation or a detailed resolution. Smiley did not present substantive remedies on the record.
Multiple homeowners described a pattern of representation they say came from Lennar sales staff and marketing materials. “Why Lennar developed a systematic marketing plan that did not include these buildings, but instead showed that the areas in which these buildings would be built were going to be parks,” said homeowner Eric Vanderpool, and added, “Lennar needs to explain why it felt the need to do all of this.” Other speakers described being told in sales sessions that a park would occupy the lot now proposed for a five‑story building and said that change would materially alter light, views and livability.
Homeowners requested copies of Lennar’s letters to OCII (dated 09/28/2017 and 11/06/2017); staff confirmed copies of the 11/06/2017 letter were placed on the meeting table for public review. Speakers asked the Commission to either require a formal meeting between Lennar principals and residents or to re‑agenda the item with fuller developer participation. Some asked for an 18‑month delay on approvals until a resolution is reached; no commissioner motion to delay was made.
Commissioners acknowledged homeowners’ concerns, reiterated that the item was a discussion rather than an action item, and encouraged Lennar’s counsel to convene meetings with homeowners and report back. Commissioner Rosales said the presence of counsel represented an opening to engage and urged follow‑up; the Commission asked staff to track progress so the issue would not return unresolved.
No formal enforcement action or regulatory finding was taken at the meeting. The record shows robust public comment on disclosure and marketing practices and commissioners calling for dialogue between homeowners and developer representatives.
