SPANISH LAKE, Mo. – Pepper Pike’s Spanish Lake Townhomes show some signs of needed repairs from the street. A former regional maintenance supervisor says there are frequent problems inside the facilities. He wishes to remain anonymous but showed FOX 2 a letter from September when he was fired, confirming his employment.
“We had leaks all of the time when it was raining or sometimes it’d be sewage coming up out of the utility closet,” he said.
FOX 2 heard multiple complaints about the conditions at Spanish Lake Townhomes, including mold, mushrooms, and insects.
Pepper Pike declined an interview, but a spokesperson tells us it has made several changes to address maintenance issues like increased staffing, a better maintenance tracking process, and improved communications with residents. Some of that increased staffing included a vice president of construction for Missouri and new regional manager of operations.
Pepper Pike is also dealing with code violations at one of its other properties. Earlier this month, FOX 2 reported that the City of Crestwood says it found code violations at 11 buildings at Forest View Apartments. Some of those violations included unpermitted furnaces and water heaters, a problem the former regional maintenance supervisor alleges he saw at other properties too.
Pepper Pike requested a jury trial in the Crestwood code violation case. It is not the only pending legal action. At least five contractors have sued Pepper Pike, saying they have not been paid for work done.
“Once I started getting my feet dirty on the grounds and talking with contractors and hearing about pepper pike, I found out that pepper pike had owed several different contractors,” the regional maintenance supervisor said.
Pepper Pike will not comment on the litigation but sent a written statement, saying, “Pepper Pike Property Management remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents. We are taking significant steps to address the code violations at Forestview Apartments and improve maintenance processes at Spanish Lake Townhomes. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our residents as we work diligently to resolve these issues and enhance their living environment.”
The code violation trial is scheduled for January.
