Somersett residents criticize City of Reno for releasing bonds on Toll Brothers' The Cliffs project

Somersett residents at The Cliffs development say the City of Reno has signed off on incomplete and “fraudulent” work by Toll Brothers, the builder that constructed the homes in their community. The Cliffs is a subdivision within Somersett comprising 200 homes. Zillow lists homes at $1.4 million in the community “known for its stunning mountain views and rolling topography.”

Toll Brothers advertises the community as a “private, gated enclave” resort with a golf course and “world-class” amenities. Most of the homes there have sold and are occupied, but some are still under construction.

Residents said they have been trying to raise awareness about what they called Toll Brothers' poor workmanship, “deviation from architectural plans” and unsafe, incomplete hillside landscaping. They said the City of Reno failed to enforce its own codes and requirements, which puts their homes at risk in particular because of poor erosion control on the hillsides where their homes are located.

One resident said his property was hit with a mudslide.

“We have a small hillside behind our home with a culvert between the hillside and our backyard patio. I had a 6 a.m. flight out one morning, and it rained heavily all night before I left,” Cliffs resident Jeff Darling testified to the Reno City Council in April. “I thought I should check the backyard. What did I find? The culvert was completely backed up from the dirt, mud coming down from the hillside, the water encroaching into our backyard and patio.”

A Toll Brothers spokesperson did not respond to residents' allegations but said residents with concerns can contact the company's customer service representative.