Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Neighbors on edge as Modelo demolition rattles homes; developer offers hotel rooms and insurance
Summary
Multiple Vista Del Rio residents told the City of Commerce council that demolition at the Modelo development has caused "violent" shaking, dust clouds and visible cracks, and asked the city to enforce mitigation measures. The developer offered short‑term hotel rooms and said builders' insurance will cover damages; city staff said vibration sensors are in place and work was paused when thresholds were reached.
Hundreds of residents crowded the dais during public comment at the City of Commerce council meeting on April 28 to press the city and a developer over intense demolition activity at the Modelo project adjacent to the former Veterans Park.
"The construction has created an environment where the ground is violently shaking on a constant basis," said resident Justin Muscato, one of several neighbors who said the noise and vibration have made their homes nearly uninhabitable and caused visible structural damage. Veronica Chavez told the council she lives about 27 feet from the demolition and said she and neighbors had submitted a resident agreement to the city but had yet to receive a response.
Neighbors described dust clouds, falling debris and health fears. "Is there asbestos in those clouds? Is there lead?" asked Susana Marios, who said she had video of workers hosing dust that then drifted toward yards. Professor Rudy Acosta said the shaking interrupted his remote teaching and that he had seen cracks form in his home.
Adrian, a representative of the project, told the council demolition and site securing began in mid‑March and that heavy demolition should continue for about two to four more weeks as crews remove the former community center and associated concrete. To ease immediate impacts, he said the developer had offered hotel rooms at project expense to the 12 households directly adjacent to the site for the duration of the loudest demolition work. "We have builders risk insurance," he added, and pledged to facilitate claims to address property damage.
City staff said they have been acting as a liaison to neighbors and have installed real‑time vibration monitors. The city manager told the council staff had stopped work when monitor thresholds were exceeded and that public works and community development will continue daily inspections and meetings with the developer to seek immediate mitigations. Staff also clarified that the city will own and control the future park area once the project is complete.
Neighbors asked for more detailed, raw sensor data rather than aggregate dashboard reporting; Mark Chavez said the raw time‑series data from sensors placed near his home would give "a significant, clear view of reality." The developer said it had provided dashboards and a WhatsApp channel for neighbors and would review a proposed "pledge of support" and respond within seven days.
The council did not take any formal action on the matter during the meeting but heard repeated requests for increased enforcement and more direct communication. Staff said it will continue to monitor vibration levels, coordinate with the developer and provide follow up to affected residents.
