Introduction to the Crisis
At one point, the neighborhood pool, a gathering spot for residents, turned green. Then electricity was cut in communal spaces, such as the clubhouse, bathrooms, and walkways, discouraging exercise and even short walks. Trash accumulated where it was supposed to be collected for disposal. Fed-up tenants who moved out were replaced many times over by newcomers: rats, insects, and weeds. Finally, residents and visitors at the Inland Empire’s renowned nudist colony, Olive Dell Ranch, were told to put their clothes on or leave.
Background of the Colony
The indignities had been piling up, residents say, when a pair of killings stunned the community and drew widespread attention to this quirky but tight-knit enclave of people who share a preference for spending some of their day unclothed. Now the residents are suing the Olive Dell owners, contending that they are being forced out. Dirt and debris has been allowed to collect on the tennis court at the Inland Empire enclave, according to a lawsuit. (Courtesy of Chet Smith)
The Lawsuit
The mass tort lawsuit, filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court, includes 56 plaintiffs comprising tenants, dues-paying members, and guests of the 136-acre property just outside the city of Colton. The plaintiffs are alleging Civil Rights Act violations, unfair business practices, financial elder abuse as well as dependent adult abuse, labor code violations, wrongful termination, negligence, and breach of contract. They also allege the resort owners made their lives miserable in an attempt to drive them out and drive up the value of their property. The plaintiffs are seeking at least $5 million in damages.
Impact on Residents
“The residents are just sitting there minding their own business when these new owners made their lives super stressful,” the plaintiffs’ attorney Frances Campbell said. “This is a community of retired elderly, veterans, and disabled individuals who really have no other place to go.” Defendants Mark Glasier, Brian Cleland, and Tina Coffelt purchased the ranch for $2.65 million in 2019. Those who live there do so either in mobile homes or recreational vehicles and pay for their spot. They, along with visitors, pay membership fees that provide on-site access and amenities that included a hot tub, sauna, steam room, a pool, a restaurant, and more.
Changes Under New Ownership
Little changed in the immediate aftermath of the new owners taking over, said 52-year-old Chet Smith, one of the lawsuit’s plaintiffs, who moved from Fallbrook in northern San Diego County to Olive Dell in 2019. The pool at Olive Dell has gone green, residents say. In addition, owners want the resort to be “textile,” they say, meaning clothing would no longer be optional. (Courtesy of Chet Smith) Smith, who retired after a 22-year career in the Marines Corps, said one of the reasons he loved the community was the bonds built through outings and events.
Decline of the Community
The end of the good times, however, came in January 2023 when Coffelt, the largest shareholder of the trio of owners but who had been largely inactive in day-to-day operations, assumed a greater role in decision-making, according to the lawsuit. The ranch was renamed the “Olive Dell RV Park and Resort” so ownership could circumvent the California Mobilehome Residency Law, the suit states. The law limits the raising of rents or utilities and limits evictions. In November 2024, the resort’s owner announced the ranch would become a “textile” park, meaning clothing would be mandatory on all of the property as of Jan. 6.
Health and Safety Concerns
To push residents out, ranch owners stopped maintaining the facilities, according to the lawsuit. Photos included in the suit show a green pool and spa, and dirt and debris accumulating on tennis courts. Trash was no longer collected, nor were weeds whacked, which increased fire risk. Rodents, insects, and vermin were visible at the resort, while electricity was shut off to common spaces, according to the lawsuit. Anger over the spate of changes that kicked off in 2023 were overshadowed, however, when resident Michael Royce Sparks was arrested and charged with brutally killing two neighbors, Daniel and Stephanie Menard, on site.
Trauma and Fear
Sparks’ home was virtually destroyed during his arrest in August 2024 as police used a battering ram to enter his property, yet the debris from his residence has not been cleared away, according to the lawsuit. Then the gate to the ranch broke, said co-plaintiff Veronica P., who asked that her last name not be made public for fear of retaliation. The entrance was now wide open. “We were all still dealing with the trauma of Sparks and the Menards and now you [had] people coming in, lookie-loos who wanted to visit the crime scene,” she said. “We were also used to having protection; now anyone can just come in and gawk.” A lawsuit says trash is not being collected in common areas of the Colton resort, and residents have been given non-official eviction notices. (Courtesy of Chet Smith)
Conclusion
The situation at Olive Dell Ranch has become increasingly dire, with residents facing numerous challenges and injustices. The lawsuit filed against the owners highlights the various ways in which they have allegedly attempted to force out the current residents, including neglecting maintenance, issuing informal eviction notices, and raising prices. The community, which once thrived as a welcoming and supportive environment for its residents, is now on the brink of collapse. As the legal battle continues, the future of Olive Dell Ranch remains uncertain, leaving its residents to wonder what will become of their homes and their community.
FAQs
Q: What is the current status of the lawsuit against the owners of Olive Dell Ranch?
A: The lawsuit is ongoing, with the plaintiffs seeking at least $5 million in damages for various allegations, including Civil Rights Act violations and breach of contract.
Q: What changes have been made to the ranch since the new owners took over?
A: The owners have stopped maintaining the facilities, renamed the ranch to circumvent the California Mobilehome Residency Law, and announced that the ranch would become a “textile” park, meaning clothing would be mandatory.
Q: How have the residents been affected by the changes?
A: The residents have faced numerous challenges, including a decline in living conditions, increased prices, and trauma from the recent killings on site.
Q: What is the future of Olive Dell Ranch?
A: The future of the ranch remains uncertain, as the legal battle continues and the residents wait to see what will become of their homes and their community.
