As Lake County News reported on Monday, County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox, who also is executive director of the Redevelopment Agency, and Deputy Redevelopment Director Eric Seely took the matter to the board. Cox and Seely asked for a discussion on ways the county could work with Affinito to expedite the development of a new hotel.
Cox told the board he received a letter from Patrick Brennan, director of franchise development for Choice Hotels, who reported that Affinito has submitted an application for a Mainstay Suites Hotel franchise.
Brennan's letter asked the county for a letter, within 15 days, outlining what assistance the county will offer the project, and specifically seeks to know if the Lucerne Clubhouse property will be redeveloped to allow for additional parking.
“What we might have here is somewhat of a chicken-and-an-egg situation,” said Cox: both Choice Hotels and the county want certain commitments from the other to allow the project to go forward.
In the county's case, Cox said there are still numerous code violations at Affinito's Lucerne Motel and Lake Sands Resorts properties, located at 6339 and 6335 E. Highway 20 in Lucerne, respectively. In June, the county ordered Affinito to abate the blighted buildings and stop renting rooms as apartments.
“Bottom line, we very much would like to see a new hotel constructed in Lucerne,” said Cox.
The question, he added, is what are the county and the Redevelopment Agency willing to do to facilitate the project?
When Board Chair Jeff Smith opened the topic up for public comment, a line of area residents made their way to the microphone to give input and ask questions.
First to the podium were two renters at the Lake Sands who have fought eviction.
One of the women, Carol King, told the board that Affinito's property manager Dennis Cox “takes cash from us under the table” for rent.
The women wanted to address Affinito's behavior toward his tenants and maintenance of his property, but Smith said that wasn't on the agenda
Supervisor Denise Rushing asked the board to hear the women out, acknowledging there are two separate issues with Affinito and the county – the hotel project and code enforcement.
“We're having to deal with the nature of the person we're dong business with,” said Rushing.
Smith, however, asked that the matter be separately agendized for a future meeting, and continued to remind other board members, staff and the public of the specifics of the agenda item.
Dennis Cox also spoke to the board, saying Affinito is “not a big gangster” as he has been portrayed, and that he just hasn't understood “the way things work” in Lake County, and that has led to misunderstandings.
Lucerne resident Lenny Matthews, however, wasn't convinced, and asked the board to consider “who you're dealing with.” Matthews said the motels' tenants needed assistance with transition to new homes, if not from a legal then from a moral standpoint.
But during the meeting it was established that transitional housing is only available for legal housing, and the housing at Affinito's motels isn't legal.
Dominic Affinito didn't appear at the meeting, but he was represented by son, Robert Affinito, and daughter, Christina, who said she manages the hospitality portion of her father's business.
Robert Affinito said they want to build a new hotel and give people a reason to visit. “If we can't build the hotel, I don't know what we'll do with it,” he said of the property, adding that they'll likely sell it.
Donna Christopher of Lucerne said she is concerned that the county was considering working with Affinito when they had no idea what the proposed project looks like. She also said she'd like to see the club house saved.
Like Matthews, shes urged the county to use caution with Affinito, who she said has failed to make a good faith effort in redeveloping the properties. “If you're dealing with the devil and you don't smell sulfur something is out of whack.”
She also urged them not to give any ground in order to get a decent project. “You guys are in the driver's seat, not the fleabag hotel owner.”
Christina Affinito said the hotels were “never, ever meant to be permanent housing for anyone.”
She added, “Our idea was to purchase the property and build a hotel there, a nice one.”
Lucerne resident Craig Bach said he had lived in Mendocino County for 23 years, and had watched Dominic Affinito's past performance, which he said included a long list of broken promises. “I do believe we have to make sure what we see is what we get.”
Supervisor Rob Brown told Smith he felt the matter should be reagendized so all of the matters about code enforcement and the project could be heard at once. He said there are bigger issues than just the parking Affinito is requesting – the matter also touches on Affinito's ownership and management.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington said he had no problem with taking the matter up again, but that he was concerned about making a decision about Affinito based on his character.
“I don't know him,” said Farrington, but he said the board shouldn't open up the matter of Affinito's character.
Robey also wanted another discussion agendized, because he said he had a problem offering a conceptual agreement with someone in the middle of a code violation.
He said he liked the hotel idea, but suggested there are many ways redevelopment could be used in the matter.
The Redevelopment Agency committed to not using eminent domain on residences, but this is commercial property, said Robey. “We do have the authority to use eminent domain if we wanted to and pursue that route of redevelopment.”
Supervisor Denise Rushing said she was concerned about the “chicken-and-the-egg” situation with Affinito. If she agreed to work with Affinito, Rushing said, she wanted strict deadlines which, if they aren't met, would end negotiations.
“The process matters as much as the outcome,” she said.
The board eventually came to a consensus that staff and Rushing would draft a letter to Affinito regarding support – in concept – of his project.
An additional discussion on the code violations and tenants has not been scheduled, although Rushing promised to speak with the two Lake Sands tenants about bringing their concerns back to the board at a future date.
In other supervisors' news, the board gave final approval to the proposed the mobile home conversion ordinance. As Lake County News previously reported, the ordinance is meant to protect homeowners in mobile home parks when parks are converted to other uses, and includes stipulations that park owners help cover relocation costs.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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