LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION
ADA Violations
Napa, CA: (May-07-08) The state Attorney General's office brought a lawsuit against First Napa Acquisition LLC, owner of the 200-unit Montrachet apartments, one of Napa's newest and largest apartment complexes, alleging that the complexes were built in 2002 in violation of state fair housing requirements. The suit stated that the construction violated the Americans with Disabilities Act law and the state building code. It stated that public facilities at Montrachet, including parking, restrooms and mailboxes, did not meet accessibility standards required by state and federal laws.
Federal officials claimed that kitchens and bathrooms in first-floor apartments were not designed to meet the needs of people who use wheelchairs. The charges were brought after the Attorney General's office randomly picked 10 new apartment projects statewide to monitor whether they met handicap access standards. Records show that all 10 failed to meet one or more requirements.
As part of a settlement reached, First Napa Acquisition agreed to pay a $20,000 civil penalty and another $16,500 to cover state costs. Additionally, the company also agreed to improve facilities for people with handicaps as part of the settlement. Montrachet will modify apartments as necessary to accommodate applicants with handicaps. [NAPA VALLEY REGISTER: APARTMENT OWNERS AGREE TO PENALTIES FOR ADA TROUBLE]
Published on May-9-08
Federal officials claimed that kitchens and bathrooms in first-floor apartments were not designed to meet the needs of people who use wheelchairs. The charges were brought after the Attorney General's office randomly picked 10 new apartment projects statewide to monitor whether they met handicap access standards. Records show that all 10 failed to meet one or more requirements.
As part of a settlement reached, First Napa Acquisition agreed to pay a $20,000 civil penalty and another $16,500 to cover state costs. Additionally, the company also agreed to improve facilities for people with handicaps as part of the settlement. Montrachet will modify apartments as necessary to accommodate applicants with handicaps. [
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