Antioch council approves housing projects by developer involved in alleged corruption scheme

"Both multifamily residential projects were proposed by DeNova Home Inc., which has come under public scrutiny after federal prosecutors charged its former owner and vice president with corruption in April. The father-and-son duo allegedly offered cash in a coffee thermos to an unidentified Antioch councilmember in an attempt to secure a vote in favor of a different housing development known as the Aviano project. The councilmember reported the matter to the FBI."

"The City Council has been debating the two recently approved projects since September, when it nearly rejected them. In a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, the Antioch City Council gave the OK to the vesting tentative subdivision map and design review for the Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 project. Councilmember Donald Freitas dissented while Tamisha Torres-Walker abstained. The council on Oct. 28 had also approved the Slatten Ranch Townhomes project, with Freitas voting against and Torres-Walker absent."

"Freitas said Senate Bill 330 usurps local government control. It takes away our discretion, and we are elected by the people, and unfortunately, because of the state legislation, we are, in my opinion, are failing our community because there should not be a development in this particular area, said Freitas about the Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 project. The 159-unit residential development is part of a larger 23-acre Wildflower Station project, which includes single-family homes, condominiums, and a planned commercial development"

Antioch City Council approved the Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 project in a 3-2 vote, with one dissent and one abstention. The council had previously approved the Slatten Ranch Townhomes project. Both multifamily projects were proposed by DeNova Home Inc., whose former owner and vice president face federal corruption charges tied to an alleged cash offer to an unidentified councilmember. The council debated legal standing to reject the projects and heard resident opposition and calls for litigation. Councilmember Donald Freitas criticized Senate Bill 330 for removing local discretion. Wildflower Station includes 159 units within a larger 23-acre mixed development.

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