Communities Impacted by Pacaso are Joining Forces

FOCUS on St. Helena, CA

FOCUS ON: Why is Pacaso suing St. Helena at great cost to the City?

Pacaso filed a federal lawsuit on April 6, 2021 challenging the city's determination that Pacaso's shared homes amount to timeshares, which are prohibited by city code.

In a ruling issued in July, U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick dismissed one of the lawsuit's five "causes of action" against the city by applying California's anti-SLAPP statute, which is intended to prevent plaintiffs from using lawsuits to interfere with people exercising their free speech rights in connection with public issues.

Pacaso's fifth cause of action accused the city and City Attorney Ethan Walsh of "intentional interference with prospective economic advantage," citing letters Walsh sent to local real estate offices, Pacaso and Pacaso homeowners stating that St. Helena's timeshare ban also applies to co-ownership.

The lawsuit against the City, the City Attorney, the City Manager and the City Planning Director is held up in Federal Court at great expense to the City.

Read entire St. Helena Star article HERE

FOCUS ON: How is St. Helena fighting back?

The city of St. Helena and Pacaso have spent the last year in court arguing over whether the city’s timeshare ban applies to the company's home co-ownership model.

Now the city is getting ready to rewrite its code to remove all doubt.

The Planning Commission voted 5-0 March 1, 2022 in support of an ordinance that would overhaul the city’s timeshare regulations for the first time since 1982 and redefine “time-share” to explicitly ban fractional ownership plans like Pacaso’s in residential zoning districts.

Neighbors who oppose Pacaso are hailing the proposed ordinance as an important step toward preserving the integrity of residential neighborhoods, preventing the noise and parking nuisances associated with short-term stays, and protecting St. Helena’s precious housing stock.

Read the Planning Commission Report HERE

Read entire Napa Valley Register article HERE

FOCUS ON: The affordable homes (by Wine Country standards) that were flipped into Pacaso's hands

Below is a sample of two of the homes in St. Helena that are currently being shown on Zillow with the OLD photo but NEW selling price. Both homes were purchased and flipped by the same company called Belle Maison, and sold to Pacaso for exponentially more. Pacaso, in turn, sells each 1/8th share at an inflated price.

Example One: 1509 Riesling Way

Sold 1/23/2020 for $1,100,000 to Builder who flipped it

Sold 10/8/2021 for $3,000,000 to Pacaso

TODAY Selling 1/8 shares for $455K for a total of $3,640,000 by Pacaso

Example Two: 1242 Madrona Avenue

Sold 10/19/2018 for $1,150,000 to Builder who flipped it

Sold 3/04/2021 for $3,500,000 to Pacaso

Sold Out 1/8 shares for $614k per 1/8 for a total of $4,912,000

...and in front of your electeds!