Canyon Sands 

Quorum Article - June 2000

Canyon Sands occupies 32 acres at the corner of Gene Autry Trail and East Palm Canyon in Palm Springs. This is a fine central location within walking distance of stores and post office. The developer was Amfac Communities, Inc, based in Hawaii. Construction began in 1972 and was completed in 1975. The development comprises 299 two and three bedroom, 2-car garage units grouped into “clusters” of 6.

Canyon Sands is on Indian lease land. Each unit within the development is on its own individual lease. With approximately 35 years left on these leases, the homeowners association has formed a committee to assist individual homeowners with their negotiations. There are two Indian landlords. Negotiations are currently at the stage of exchanging proposals.

The arrangement of the condo units in “clusters” around a central garage access area ensures that each family’s living area is entirely separate. The only common walls between units are garage or patio walls. As Amfac rightly boasted: “Single family privacy in a condominium design so unique, we’ve applied for a patent.”  The outstanding design of the units is enhanced by generous green belt, 7 pool & spa sets and 6 championship tennis courts, 3 of which are lighted. Several walkways and paths wind through the development. Sitting areas and rose gardens enhance the park-like feel of Canyon Sands.

The units feature 3 individual floor plans. All have master and guest bath suites. Sizes are 1268, 1351 and 1415 square feet. All have private courtyards and atria. In recent months units have been selling in the $130,000 to $150,000 range. Rentals begin at around $1,100 per month on an annual basis. Maryellen Hill & Associates operates the on-site sales office.

Canyon Sands has always benefited from onsite management. Sandra Conners is currently the onsite manager. Billie Campbell assists Sandra. Says Sandra: “After 4 ½ years as a portfolio manager, Canyon Sands is my cup of tea. I love it here; the homeowners are really great and very helpful. They bring us cookies to try out new recipes. We just got a box of chocolate macadamia nuts from a homeowner who just returned from Hawaii. We get flowers frequently and have been given African violets for the office. We do our best to please the homeowners, listen to their complaints and suggestions and then take action to correct any problems.”

Sandra prepares a monthly newsletter, “The Sandscript,” which is circulated to all homeowners and renters to keep them informed of association business and includes an advertising section for homeowner services only.

While on-site management is directly employed, all services are contracted. Valley Pools provides pool and spa care. Lundeen Pacific handles landscaping with an on-site supervisor and a crew of seven gardeners. Alvarez Electric takes care of electrical needs and night time lighting inspections every two weeks. Envirotech provides pest control.

Canyon Sands homeowners association has over the years experimented with combinations of management and services first being entirely in-house employed and then entirely out-sourced. However, it has come to find that the combination of in-house management and out-sourced services is the most successful. A good part of this success has been the enthusiastic participation and involvement of the Board of Directors and its committees.

Rita McDermott is Board President. She has served on the Board since 1987 and has been President since 1994. Says Rita: “We are a hands-on Board. We attend to business and get the job done.”

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