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Desert Island
Quorum Article - February 1999
Desert Island occupies 160 acres located at the corner of Bob Hope and Frank
Sinatra Drives in Rancho Mirage. The developer is Safeco Properties of Seattle,
Washington and its on-site subsidiary is Winmar of the Desert.
This was an exceptionally small site upon which to build both a golf course and conventional single story housing. However, the solution to this problem is highly satisfactory. A 6,868 yard Desmond Muirhead designed championship golf course is laid out on the perimeter of the property and (unlike most country club courses) is completely uncluttered by buildings.
The golf course surrounds a 25 acre lake, which in turn surrounds an island containing three high-rise condominium buildings. The lake provides water hazards for golfers and a beautiful environment for residents. The first building, completed in 1972, is 7 stories and 80 units. The second building, completed in 1974, is 7 stories and 82 units. The third building, completed in 1979 is 5 stories and 64 units. Plans exist for a fourth, 5 story, 63 unit building.
The 226 total existing units are mostly in the 1,800 square feet to 2,200 square feet range, with a few at 4,000 square feet and 1,000 square feet. List prices of currently available units range from $175,000 to $750,000. All units were originally held on a leasehold basis. However, more than 100 unit owners took advantage of an offer from the developer to purchase fee ownership of the land.
Homeowner association amenities include 2 lighted tennis courts, a yacht club and fishing. There is an annual regatta and BBQ at the yacht club, featuring pedal boat races. Each building has its own pool and spa set. A 39,000 square feet club house, which was recently remodeled, is home to the private golf and country club. The lake is owned by the master homeowner association but managed by the club.
Each building has its own unincorporated homeowner association and seven member Board of Governors. An incorporated association, in which all homeowners are members, manages the overall community property, through its 5 member Board of Directors.
Association management is provided by Team Property Management, Inc, aka Team Management of the Desert. This is a corporation, all principals of which have been on property at Desert Island for more than 20 years. Principals are Steven Shuey, General Manager; David Sullins, Chief Engineer; and Bob Blackburn, Air Conditioning Specialist. This management company was formed four years ago for the specific purpose of taking over Desert Island association management from the previous management company.
This arrangement and the exceptional longevity of the staff in service at Desert Island speak volumes both for the individual competence of the staff and also for the value the Board of Directors attaches to operational stability and continuity of relationships between staff members and homeowners. It is also a strong indicator of board harmony and stable board policy, notwithstanding changes in board membership.
Most maintenance is carried out in-house, including maintenance of the central air conditioning system in each building. Central air-conditioning systems are quite typical in high-rise construction but unique for desert homeowner associations. It is interesting to note that a large part of the cost of air-conditioning to each condominium unit is included within the HOA dues. Landscape Maintenance at Desert Island is contracted out to Joe Velasquez Gardening Services. Burns International provides the personnel to man the gate house and area night patrol.
When asked to compare experience in managing high-rise as distinct from single story condo associations, Steve Shuey said that a major plus of the Desert Island high-rise configuration is security. While many other desert communities have from time to time been plagued by burglaries, there has never been a break-in at Desert Island. This success is attributed to a manned main entry gate, a carded secondary gate and building front doors controlled by entry phone. A moat in the shape of the lake surrounding the buildings doesn't hurt either, says Steve!
However, a negative, which managers of low rise condo associations do not have to deal with, is the nuisance impact that individual apartment unit remodeling projects can have on an entire building. Reinforced steel concrete construction transmits and amplifies noise and vibration. This has resulted in a rule at Desert Island that major remodeling projects are restricted to the off-season summer months.
If homeowner association management and operations are successful, you will find evidence in the mood of the homeowners. At Desert Island this success has manifested itself in an extraordinary spirit of out-of-pocket volunteerism. For example, a sidewalk along the island access road was recently constructed at a cost of $50,000 - all contributed voluntarily by individual homeowners. Volunteer funds are also being contributed for the installation of decorative lake fountains and the development and maintenance of a 150 specimen rose garden in the common area. Conclusion? Desert Island homeowners are happy. What more can you say?
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