POMONA (CNS) - A judge today temporarily ruled that the owners of a Glendora mansion my no longer use their property for short-term rentals after a large party was hosted there last month despite concerns by health officials that such events could be spreading grounds for COVID-19.
Pomona Superior Court Judge Peter Hernandez issued a temporary restraining order sought by the city of Glendora against the homeowners of the property in the 1100 block of East Sierra Madre Avenue. The TRO is good through Sept. 30, when another hearing will be held on whether to extend the order.
City officials said the judge considered the city's recent adoption of a 45-Day moratorium on short-term rentals in deciding to issue the order.
“We are pleased with today's court decision and thankful we have been able to provide a quick response to the concerns of our residents,'' said Glendora Mayor Michael Allawos. “With both the TRO and the 45-Day moratorium, Glendora is in position to craft long-term solutions that seek to benefit our community as a whole.''
The TRO request came in the wake of the Glendora Police Department and city staff response to citizens expressing concern even before the party was held. The Aug. 22 event eventually resulted in the party organizer, Davante Dajon Bell, receiving multiple administrative citations for violating the Glendora Municipal Code and current health department orders, totaling $1,900 in fines.
On Wednesday, the city sued Bell as well as Cao “Charles'' Xin and Olivia Lei Zhao, identified as the owners of the 20,000-square-foot estate in the 1100 block of Sierra Madre Avenue since August 2017. Bell did not appear at Monday's court hearing.
City officials say Bell and the mansion owners are liable for about $18,000 for the expenses the city occurred in the police response to the party.
“Despite the obvious nature of the risks involved in holding a party of this type because of COVID-19, Bell disregarded all warnings given by (the city),'' the suit states.
Xin and Zhao did not try and stop the party despite having the authority to do so under their short-term rental agreement, the suit states.