A leaky roof and possible mold result in a code violation for a luxury senior living facility.

For two years, residents at The Park Lane in Monterey, advertised as a luxury senior community, complained that a roof needed to be replaced in one of the four-plex “chalet” buildings, after water damaged at least two apartments with possible mold. A tarp was placed over the problem area, but it was never fixed, according to residents. One man had to be relocated last November, and the apartment remains vacant.

In May, residents’ patience ran out. After filing formal complaints with the state and county agencies, the case was forwarded to the City of Monterey. An inspection on May 30 resulted in a notice of violation for owner Pacifica Senior Living, with a deadline of July 1 to fix the roof. The vacant apartment was tagged “unsafe” on May 31.

Pacifica missed the deadline, so on July 18 Monterey officials issued a citation, which came with possible fines of up to $2,000 a day until the roof was fixed. On Aug. 8, the city issued a building permit to JC Construction to complete repairs.

A written statement from Beau A. Ayers, Pacifica’s vice president of operations, states, “The Park Lane is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our residents. As part of our ongoing commitment, we are proceeding with a roof replacement project… This important upgrade will help ensure the continued comfort and safety of our residents.”

No work had begun as of Aug. 13. Residents, who asked not to be identified because they are on month-to-month leases, say there are other problems – the fire alarm system is broken in the main building so an employee is on “fire watch,” walking through the facility every 30 minutes.

David Brown ia interim deputy fire marshal for the Monterey Fire Department. He says the department recently responded to a fire in the kitchen, and the cause was found to be some cleaning rags in a laundry basket that somehow ignited. The fire activated the overhead sprinklers, but not the fire alarm.

Upon further inspection, it was discovered there was a wiring issue, possible due to "vermin" eating the wires. "We have to find out how extensive the problem is," Brown says. Until it can be fixed, the department is requiring the fire watch, which involves employees patrolling the building. 

Normally the fire department would want the alarm system fixed within 30 days, but it may take longer, depending on the damage, Brown says. They are working on a timeline with Pacifica.