MOORPARK : Developer Offers to Pay for Inspections

A Moorpark development company that has been assailed by residents and city officials who contend that they have failed to correct fireplace safety problems in its homes has formally offered to pay for safety inspections on all of its homes and repair any problems.

Pardee Construction Co. made the offer in a Dec. 15 letter to the city that will be considered by the City Council at its regular meeting Wednesday. Pardee is also asking the city to waive permits fees for any fireplace repairs made as part of their proposal.

In addition to paying for inspections and repairs at about 300 homes in its Northview tract, Pardee also offered to pay the firm that the city contracts with for building inspections to review all fireplace repairs, the letter said.

City officials said Monday that they were encouraged by the response to a problem that they have been discussing for months, but said some of the residents already have expressed doubts about the abilities of the contractor that Pardee plans to have inspect the homes.

“The concern I have is that they want it done by Fireplace Systems and that’s the outfit the residents don’t seem to trust at all,” said Councilman Scott Montgomery.

Some residents have complained at council meetings that their fireplaces were found to be faulty by other inspectors after employees of Fireplace Systems said they were safe.

Bill Teller, Ventura County project manager for Pardee, said Monday that Fireplace Systems is a fully licensed fireplace contractor and is qualified to do the inspections and repair work.

“We’re willing to send Fireplace Systems out there to inspect every home,” Teller said. “We have never, ever found an instance where Fireplace Systems missed or has performed faulty work.”

Teller said the only cost-effective way for Pardee to do the inspections and repairs is if Fireplace Systems is able to inspect the homes and follow up immediately with any necessary repairs on that same visit.

Responding to resident concerns, the council last month invited fireplace inspectors to bid on a contract to inspect all 300 Northview homes at city expense. The city is still accepting bids.