Homeowners File Suit Over Unstable Land

Owners of a dozen homes on a Laguna Niguel hill where several homes recently were destroyed by landslides sued the builder Monday in Orange County Superior Court.

None of the 12 plaintiffs involved have suffered major landside damage to their homes, but the structures are showing “some types of stress,” such as cracks in the walls and major soil erosion, said Ken Kasdan, an Irvine attorney representing the homeowners. Some of the homes are on the street where the landslides occurred, he said.

The upscale homes are part of a community known as Niguel Summit, which includes about 1,400 houses developed within the last 12 years by Hon Development, J.M. Peters Co. and others. Over the years, many property owners have sued the developers because of the ground movement.