As of last Friday, a new anti-Pinnacle/Brian Stolar web site is online, intended to encourage Montclair citizens and council to “Say No to the involvement of Brian Stolar and Pinnacle” in further Montclair development projects. The site — created by disgruntled Siena condominium owners Vincent Forbes and Raniya Kassem, who have had an ongoing legal battle with Pinnacle over leak and mold issues since purchasing their new homes in 2008 — want to keep the company out of town. To Forbes and Kassem, Pinnacle’s involvement with the early stages of the DCH Montclair Center Gateway redevelopment project should be a cause for concern to the entire township.
They say on their site:
Pinnacle is now vying to be involved in another redevelopment project in the heart of Montclair just steps away from a building they constructed that is riddled with problems. We feel that it is the right of every taxpayer in Montclair to know what is happening at The Siena to help better make the correct decision in saying NO to Brian Stolar and Pinnacle Companies in any further development in Montclair.
Check out the site here, and here for a leaky and moldy video tour of the Siena.
We’ve reached out to Stolar for comment and will update if we get a response.
Since the towns position on the Sienna is “nothing we can legally do” this is a no brainer. Brian Stolar and Pinnacle shouldn’t even be allowed to get lunch in town. Modern day snake oil salesmen and anyone letting them continue with their build cheap/ sell high methods is equally sleazy. These residents can’t live in homes they are paying for….way to send a message that not only is Montclair expensive but even paying a Mortgage leaves you homeless.
Did the kids from China get a tour of the Sienna ? Or no too busy being shown the green bike racks that hold 2 bike each….what a joke.
Caveat emptor. Hopefully, through the power of the Internet and word of mouth, the truth will get out about Pinnacle. Unfortunately, unless there’s a court order stopping them from building, there is little we can do but educate ourselves.
Who did the inspections on this building before it got its COO? Seems like a lot of the findings in the independent reports (on the website) should have been found at that time.
Code compliance does not guarantee quality construction.
Unless there is some kind of code violation, there is no role for the township here. We taxpayers can’t guarantee quality in private transactions or take any responsibility in such circumstances. Nor can the township prevent licensed contractors and developers from working in Montclair.
ROC, what you say is true in theory. In practice, towns curry favor with one developer while discouraging another all the time.
So once they are licensed that is it – no need for quality or even functioning results….? If the next thing they build crumbles to the ground full of occupants they can just move across the street to the next empty lot and starting building something there ?
A restaurant owner in town for 20+ years got dragged over coals building a 2nd restaurant but Brian Stolar and Pinnacle can all but light a match to downtown and nothing anyone can do ?
Might as well stop the South park project – can’t polish a turd and this town is starting to stink.
Sounds like corruption to me.
“Code compliance does not guarantee quality construction.” So what kind of construction do you think you will get when a builder violates code in every way known to man?
But not to worry: lowering taxes on the top 2% of earners in New Jersey will fix this problem (and all the other ones we have, too). No regulation is required because the market will force unscrupulous builders out and protect buyers. Repealing the Health Care Bill and suspending all federal regulatory agencencies will result in waves of euphoria sweeping the country. The free market will free us all. Even those of us who apparently live under rocks.
Glad to see that people are waking up and taking positive action. It shouldn’t stop here however. Its time to thank and dismiss the planning boards and commissions who have resulted in these failures in the last ten years and to start all over again with individuals who are responsable, qualified, correct and serious. Its also quite remarkable that so much of these failures are due to conflicts of interest and disattention to correct town planning and budgets.
”So what kind of construction do you think you will get when a builder violates code in every way known to man?”
Shoddy to be sure.
But the statement “Code compliance does not guarantee quality construction.” is still true.
Heavens to Murgatroyd, RoC, no one accused you of lying.
PLEASE stop South Park!!! Leave everything on hold until any further development can be thought out and implemented correctly with a better overall plan in place.
“Heavens to Murgatroyd, RoC, no one accused you of lying.”
Shiver me timbers, Conan, I didn’t say anyone did.
A good sourse told me that someone pushed through the Sienna permits knowing full well that they were not completed properly. That is why they are doing all the work on S. Park as we speak. The work being done on S.Park has nothing to do with the redevelpement project. It has to do with the screw up done by the developers of Sienna.
Cary keeps saying one has nothing to do with the other but I heard differently.
*source
Right of Center | AUGUST 01, 2011 @ 12:53 PM
Code compliance does not guarantee quality construction.
I agree, ROC.
But codes ( government intervention ) came about because the unregulated free market was building unsafe garbage to maximize profits at the risk of others.
As such, the construction industry got the “nanny state” ( your term ) it deserved.
I have no problem with construction codes, spiro.
You probably will, ROC, when they start requiring green construction!
depends on the specifics.
POSTED BY Right of Center | AUGUST 01, 2011 @ 12:53 PM
Code compliance does not guarantee quality construction.
Unless there is some kind of code violation, there is no role for the township here. We taxpayers can’t guarantee quality in private transactions or take any responsibility in such circumstances. Nor can the township prevent licensed contractors and developers from working in Montclair.
…….by the way, ROC, I’d be surprised if the existing codes don’t require buildings to be waterproof and/or habitable.
I don’t understand your point. (assuming there is one) Is there some contradiction in what I have said?
Just because there is a leak does not mean a code was violated.
How did these guys get a Certificate of Occupancy from the town of Montclair?
Certificate of occupancy
A city or county document certifying that a building is approved for occupancy, often required by insurance companies to insure the property
http://www.baristanet.com/2011/07/lawsuit-filed-against-builders-of-the-siena/
Right of Center – there is an engineering report performed by an independent engineering firm (independent of Pinnacle or the homeowners) which states that there are clear violations. You are correct in that a leak doesn’t mean a code violation – but if you check out the report, there are building code violations.
I don’t know the specifics. But who hired the “independent” engineering firm?
Thank you, ROC for assuming there was in fact a point within my comment ( although you seemed to suggest there may not have been one, no problem – last I looked, non-sequiturs were still okay. )
You seemed to be looking for a way for Montclair Bldgs. Dept. not to get involved, supposedly to keep the taxpayers off the hook for the Siena disaster. Thank you, since us here at home pay property taxes, just like you.
But since the building now has uninhabitable sections within it, and, since the purpose of building code is (hopefully) there to keep tenants and passers-by healthy and safe, it looks like the Twp. of Montclair needs to get involved, maybe even against their will, if for no other reason than to enforce the code.
Too bad there are, (shall we say, more carefree?) sections of the private sector component of the construction industry that can’t get their crap together. Now we’re stuck with their tab.
ROC – the building paid for the report through maintenance fees. The engineering firm came in and looked at the building (common areas only such as roof, facade, garage, etc). There will certainly be more expert reports to come in the future but I can tell you that even someone who is not an engineer or an architect can say that there is something wrong with a building when many of the windows leak, there are multiple leaks in the ceilings throughout the building, the terraces from apartments above leak when it rains, the garage walls seep water and there is black mold growing throughout. I can also safely say that not one resident at The Siena wanted this to be what it is and that with certainty, I didn’t want to litigate. Even Pinnacle has admitted that there are problems – the issue at hand is that no one from Pinnacle to Kohl to local or state government has stepped up to the plate to help with a resolution…… the government keeps taking our tax money, Pinnacle keeps giving us lip service and the water keeps dripping on our heads. I don’t want to come across as anything but what I am – someone who was promised a product and was delivered a defective apartment. If I had purchased a DVD player or a car, there are consumer laws which protect me – why is this not the case with the most expensive purchase that most of us will ever make? Why is it that there is zero regulation of the building industry? Why is it that a company worth millions of dollars is allowed to take the customers who made them that money to the cleaners and everyone simply turns a blind eye? Oh yeah, that’s right, Pinnacle DID pay for part of First Night in Montclair……. they deserve special treatment.
The same lip service and ignorant smugness that the condo owners are facing was used on anyone who opposed this building project while it was being PUSHED through, not only by its creators, but also by the local elected officials. None of these individuals should never be permitted to operate locally again. The developer’s rendering was equally pathetic….it made the Siena look like a free standing building (like a ranch house!)in a field. Who will ever resolve the dysfuncionality with our local construction process? I think the Department of Environmental Protection should be called in to protect our community from the failing current system in place!
Frank – you are absolutely right! It was pushed thorough delivered to the owners just weeks before they could back out. After being burned by Brian Stolar and Pinnacle and stuck with an apartment that I can not sell, I hope that this will bring an awareness to the lack of accountability. While I’m sitting with this junk apartment that Pinnacle sold me, Pinnacle is working on their next development steps away from The Siena.
I am also thoroughly discouraged in the lack of oversight or even compassion on the part of Fried, DaShield and every other elected office in Montclair. While it may be true that there isn’t much they can do, they made it very clear to me that they have no responsibility and wanted nothing to do with our issue. I find it absolutely shocking that the Township has no say whatsoever in protecting their residents and no desire to either. It seems to me that all they want is a cozy little deal to increase the tax base and I also believe that something smells fishy…… very fishy.
Anyone heard of anything regarding McLaughlin and his claims? I’d love to know if a complaint was filed with the AG’s office.
Ugh this makes me sad too. I have to go hide in closet now. There’s just too much corruption and greed everywhere.
Any word from Brian Stolar? Didn’t think so. I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Mrs. Martta – I always love your comments (and yours as well, hrhppg!). I’ve been waiting for something substantial for three years – so I have to agree, I am not holding my breath!
If your interested, I’ll be posting the meeting dates and times and it would be great to meet you all. Let’s let Montclair and Pinnacle know just what we think!
Have you been in contact with the State Attorney General?
Yes – they sent me to the Department if Consumer Affairs in 2008. Consumer Affairs said that there was nothing that they could do. We started legal action in ’10 and I contacted Consumer Affairs and they changed their story saying that they couldn’t do anything because we were suing. The government has been ineffectual at best.
On the original story thread about this problem there was a response basically saying not our problem.
In an email correspondence received July 11, Brian Stoler of Pinnacle wrote:
“It is truly unfortunate that Vince, Carlton and others have had problems with their homes. We have been in business over 25 years and we have built many residential projects in New Jersey. Our track record of creating and developing successful projects is significant and we have had a tremendously low record of any problems whatsoever.
Siena is a Joint Venture with another developer, and for the record, they are not involved with the DCH project. We and our joint venture partner are addressing as best as possible the problems at Siena, which were caused by others. We also regret that Vince, Carlton and the condominium association have elected to institute litigation, which in my opinion just slows down the process and obviously makes it impossible for us to comment publicly.”
We actually met with Dashield and that was basically his response. We met with him a few months back. I guess that is when I decided that I ought to let everyone know what we had been going through. I really do hope that this will shed some light onto Pinnacle’s business practices and just how little help there is out there for the taxpayer. It seems that almost nobody will take responsibility and manage issues like this – but everyone is really good at pointing their finger at someone else to deflect their own deficiencies (and to discourage people from actually taking action and changing anything). There really seems to be a core group of people who read Baristanet and are involved with the community and I am happy that you all do. Great comments and excellent insight into what is happening around town.
By law, should a building with issues like this continue to have a Certificate of Occupancy? If the State Dept of Consumer Affairs, the developers and the township officials are being intransigent and just gliding over and ignoring this BIG problem, shouldn’t the NJ DEP take responsibility to enforce their codes?
Area In Need of Redevelopment
So the town selected the developer, approved the plans, inspected the building, but currently take no responsibility? It’s not like the residents went and hired the developer on their own and are now asking the town to intervene over the inspections alone.
It’s so sad for these people not just moneywise, but healthwise too – they have to live in this environment because what options do they have? Defaulting on a mortgage so they can afford to live elsewhere?
And the town has leverage with the other project!
I’d be very tempted to call Arnold Diaz of “Shame, Shame, Shame!”
Seems as if there’s an awful lot of buck passing going on here. SOMEONE is ultimately responsible.
Statements like this don’t solve the problem:
“It is truly unfortunate that Vince, Carlton and others have had problems with their homes. We have been in business over 25 years and we have built many residential projects in New Jersey. Our track record of creating and developing successful projects is significant and we have had a tremendously low record of any problems whatsoever.”
So you’ve had a “tremendously low” record of problems. Tremendously low does not translate into zero. You are having problems now so the past is immaterial. You’ll come across much better if you choose to take the blame and deal with the problem directly, in the form of repairs and/or restitution.
Has anyone from the Stoler camp actually visited the site to assess the situation?
The NJ DEP is located in Trenton http://www.state.nj.us/dep/enforcement/
Do you mean visited the Siena? Yes, they’ve been there literally dozens of times. They have been aware of my unit for YEARS. As a matter of fact, the first report I gave them of leaking was on February 14th, 2008. When this really started to become a problem, I papered the building trying to get the residents together to demand that they fix the building. People buried their heads in the sand and then they proceeded to demonize us for trying to get our units fixed. That is, until the water started falling on their heads. They have not been able to fix it and everytime I tried to say that I would go to the press to expose what was going on, I received a ‘strongly’ worded email. Please keep checking on the site http://www.saynotopinnaclebuildinginmontclair.com. I would love for those concerned to contact the township. Over the course of the next week or so, I will have devised an organized plan to get our voices out there. I wouldn’t wish these problems on my worst enemy. If Brian Stolar thinks that the building is so great, then why doesn’t he live in it? Regardless, check the site – I’ll be posting correspondence from Stolar so that everyone can see what kind of person we are dealing with.
The local parties responsable for this situation will most probably not be responsive unless higher authorities are called in. The next level is Trenton.
Hey Frank,
I’ve actually called every office under the sun for relief. AG’s office, the Consumer Affairs, Department of Health – even the Governor’s office. They all pass the buck to someone else. Not one government representative has taken responsibility to even get me to the right place. So – that is really why I put up the website. If the government won’t protect the taxpaying consumer, I guess it’s up to me.
Reading the website the part I like is where they state – we have as a company, only so many hands and minds to focus on and execute the management of the issues that have developed.
Sounds like they are too busy for another project. Also in reading that website it seems that they only became concerned about these issues once it effecting selling the units – not when it was a hazard to the people who had already purchased them.
So nothing anyone in town can do to stop these group for creating another mold trap? Maybe the Sienna residents should start to advertise their blight in the NY Times and let potential buyers know the risks of purchasing in an area where bike racks mean more then people.
I read the latest letter from Stolar. What you need is a firm commitment as to WHEN he plans to make these repairs. Anyone can write a letter and say, “I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna do that.” Get it in writing and then hold them to it! Good luck!
montclair973 …. Don’t give up!
You guys rock. Thank you for keeping up on this and being interested in what is going on. Yes, it would certainly seem that Pinnacle is more interested in the appearance of the building rather than the quality. Amenities mean zilch….. they should have included umbrellas with every purchase!
Keep checking the site as I have a treasure trove of emails I will post. They really highlight the lip service that we have all been getting!