HUD announces settlement of complaints against developers

Saturday, July 19, 1997 | 2:03 a.m.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Friday the settlement of two complaints that alleged the developers violated the Fair Housing Act, which requires dwellings built after March 13, 1991, to be usable by disabled persons.

Public and common use areas as well as dwelling units were not accessible to the disabled at Charlemont Condominiums, according to one complaint.

The condominiums were part of a joint venture by Gateway Development and Charlemont Homeowners Association, both of Henderson. Hoskins Engineers Inc. of San Jose, Calif., also was cited in the complaint.

Robert Toso, now deceased, filed the complaint, which was settled Wednesday. His widow, Nancy, received $17,000 in compensation.

Another $10,000 was set aside for future modifications to 54 ground-floor units at the property. The funds will be available to current and future owners for six years.

In addition, the developers agreed to make the public and common use areas accessible at Charlemont Condominiums and add modifications to the clubhouse and parking areas.

The other complaint, settled Tuesday, claimed the 64 ground-floor units at Cha Cha Cha Apartments, also in Henderson, violated federal accessibility requirements.

Donald Sheffer, who uses a wheelchair, made the complaint and will receive $2,000.

The companies listed in the complaint - Gem Homes Inc., Gem Development, Cha Cha Cha Ltd., Siefert Development and Stout Management - also agreed to retrofit the ground-floor units and report future development plans to HUD.

The Henderson properties were included in five settlements announced by HUD on Friday. The others were in Akron, Ohio; Atlanta, Ga., and Boise, Idaho.