Glenwood Townhomes leaders urge San Dimas to revise code-enforcement procedures amid anonymous-complaint dispute

Two representatives of Glenwood Townhomes addressed the council during oral communications to describe what they called inconsistent and retaliatory use of city code enforcement.

Patricia Souza, who said she has lived in Glenwood Townhomes for 45 years and serves on the HOA board, said the board supports code enforcement's mission but asked the city to review how anonymous complaints are handled. "We fully support the mission of the code enforcement and the importance of maintaining city standards. However, we believe that the current process, particularly the use of anonymous complaints has opened the door for misuse and retaliation," she said, asking whether the city should be drawn into HOA disputes that pose no public-safety risk.

Marisa Campus, who identified herself as the HOA board president, described repeated reports her board submitted about an alleged unlicensed business operating from a resident's garage and alleged unpermitted electrical modifications. She described uneven responsiveness by code officers and recounted that a code enforcement officer told a homeowner, according to Campus, "If you don't advertise your business anywhere, I'll let you call it a hobby." She also named a code officer (John Villalobos) and said her board's more serious complaints had not been addressed while a minor garage-sale complaint was pursued.

Both speakers asked the city to clarify enforcement priorities, provide consistent and transparent processes for HOAs, and ensure deadlines and compliance timelines are realistic given HOA budgeting and vendor schedules. A council member asked staff to accept a written copy of the HOA's concerns and to follow up outside the meeting. The speakers said the HOA has repeatedly tried to engage the city and requested improved collaboration rather than selective escalation.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; council members asked staff to collect the HOA documents and follow up with the board outside the meeting.

Notes on names and claims: the speakers identified themselves during public comment as Patricia Souza and Marisa Campus (transcribed also as Marcella Campos). They named code enforcement officer John Villalobos as the staff member who contacted a homeowner, and they alleged uneven prioritization of complaints. The council did not dispute the allegations at the meeting but directed staff to accept the HOA's documentation for follow-up.