Iconic Forest Ave House Subject Of Lawsuit

Often walked past this huge house on the way to school. Thought it was a neat alternative to old victorians and other ’50s ranch styles.

1009 Forest Ave

Google maps street view

In early 2013, a tenant at 1009 Forest complained to the

city about inadequate living conditions. A building inspection later found there was no permanent source of heat, a leaking roof, lack of smoke detectors, hazardous wiring, a termite infestation and a garage deck railing in poor condition.

“There was a complaint made so we had to inspect the site,” says John Kuehl, building official for Monterey and Pacific Grove. “The building has a number of issues: electrical, plumbing. There were sparks and hazardous wiring. There was also an extra unit installed without approval.”

Boyes contends all the claims are false and that an inspection was illegally made without her consent. Throughout 2013 when the city started to take actions against the alleged code violations at the property, Coleman was in and out of the hospital with various ailments and unable to respond to the city’s notices. The city has placed a $113,465 lien on the property.

Coleman claims tenants made the original complaints to get out of paying rent, which they avoided paying after Pacific Grove posted notices of violations at the property. Boyes says Coleman had to file a cease-and-desist order to remove the tenants from the property and to collect back rent.

Iconic Forest Ave House Subject Of Lawsuit