A lawsuit has been filed in the entitled, rich, old person community of Rancho Mirage by a group of country club homeowners who argue that plans to turn a nearby golf course into a housing development is a breach of agreement and an “infliction of emotional distress”, because sure it is.
Rancho Mirage Country Club has filed the $39 million dollar (!) lawsuit against Beverly Hills-based Oasis Ranch LLC, reports the Desert Sun. Oasis Ranch purchased the golf course, which is not part of the country club early in 2015, closed it in June, then announced plans for building homes on the property.
Every house in Rancho Mirage Country Club backs up to what was the golf course and residents argue in the lawsuit that their houses came with a “covenant designed to protect the golf course from development” – not to be confused with the Ark of the Covenant, which you should never looks at once it is opened.
Residents also claim in the lawsuit that they have suffered “substantial depreciation” of their property values and that they are unable to get a real estate agent to show their home because they fear that a new buyer would sue – so, are they just assuming real estate agents are not going to disclose the plans?
The developer told The Desert Sun that they operated within their legal rights and said the lawsuit is “false and misleading”.
But residents disagree and are also suing for “intentional infliction of emotional distress”, charges that stem mostly from a chain link fence. Via The Desert Sun:
Oasis was also cited and told to remove a chain-link fence erected around the course in September. The owners have filed an appeal, which is scheduled to be heard at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Rancho Mirage Public Library.
Homeowners say the fence is a safety concern because in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster, they would have escaped to the golf course. Now, they haven’t that access.
It’s also unsightly, [Resident Mary] Willis said.
“It’s like we’re living inside a prison,” she said.
Sure it is.
