Quorum
Article - July 2001
Palm
Desert Country Club association (PDCCA) is a planned community of 959
single-family homes in east Palm Desert. It is bounded by Fred Waring Drive to
the south, Hovely Lane to the north, Washington Street to the east, and Oasis
Country Club to the west. The homes are laid out among the fairways of the Palm
Desert Country Club, which is in fact unrelated to PDCCA.
PDCCA
began life in 1960 as “Palm City.” It was California’s first “seniors
only” development and was promoted as an “Active Retirement Community” for
the 50 and over. The concept was very similar to the current successful Del Webb
senior projects. Unfortunately, while ahead of its time, it was also premature
and the age restriction for purchasers was soon lifted for a then lack of a
market. Ironically, PDCCA subsequently became a popular place for retirees.
The
original developers were Severin Construction and Secrest Construction, who
built most of the homes after the pattern of the models. However, when poor
market conditions gave rise to financial difficulties and eventual foreclosure,
some of the unbuilt lots were sold off for private construction. Local builders
Frank Goodman and Dick Oliphant took the development over from the lender in
1962, completed it and renamed it Palm Desert Country Club Association.
The
majority of homes at PDCCA are two and three bedroom units ranging in size from
about 1,200 to 1,800 square feet. The homes currently sell in the $130 to $220
thousand dollar range. Back in 1960, prices started at $12,995! The latest
private construction took place last year and, surprisingly, there are still a
few vacant lots.
Homeowner
Association dues are a very low $225 per year, which is paid in one lump sum.
The Association’s responsibilities are limited to the operation and
maintenance of PDCCA’s central facilities, which are located on 4.2 acres on
Avenue of the States.
Indoor
facilities, in approximately 5,800 square feet, include a recreation hall with
stage and full kitchen, lounge, card rooms, HOA office, and an activities
center. The lounge is named for Alice Marble, a well-known tennis pro and member
of the Tennis Hall of Fame. Many of the original owners at PDCCA worked in the
entertainment industry as supporting talent and would stage very successful
shows in the recreation hall.
Outdoors
there is a large Jacuzzi and two large pools. One pool is for adults only. The
other is a family pool. There is a BBQ area for outdoor social activity, and
lighted shuffleboard courts.
Because
of affordable prices, the HOA’s recreational facilities, and a good location
relative to schools, PDCCA has become very attractive to people with young
families. This has resulted in a demographic shift, so that the population of
PDCCA is now about 50/50 retired people and young families. This change in
demographics has brought about a change in the character of the HOA.
As
originally laid out, PDCCA had facilities for a camera club, a woodworking club,
a leather working club, a lapidary club, a ceramics club and more. However, with
the change in population, there became insufficient interest in these activities
to justify the space devoted to them. Thus about 2,000 square feet of space (the
activities center) became superfluous to requirements.
Over
the course of many years PDCCA’s facilities had been allowed to fall into
disrepair. However, during the past five years new leadership on the Board of
Directors has overseen a reversal of the neglect and a complete rehabilitation.
This has involved recognition of the demographic shift at PDCCA and some
creative restructuring of the HOA, its finances, operation, and management. Here
are some examples.
The
space previously occupied by the crafts clubs is now rented out as a revenue
enhancer. This helps considerably with HOA expenses. The recreation hall,
complete with stage and kitchen is also made available for rental by outside
groups.
The
City of Palm Desert leases (for $1.00 per year) and has also developed and now
maintains about one acre of the HOA property as a Neighborhood Park. This is
part of the City’s long-range plan to introduce areas of green belt throughout
its jurisdiction. Included in the park are a rose garden, children’s
playground, dog park, and volleyball court. The rose garden is a popular place
for weddings. Near the rose garden is an “Arbor of Remembrance,” honoring
past residents of PDCCA. The City spent some $800,000 on this project, which was
several years in planning and development. The park was dedicated last year.
Thus the Association not only gets the City to develop and maintain part of its
property, its members also enjoy the results!
A
small part of the property is rented to Sprint for a relay station. The antenna
tower is so cleverly disguised as a date palm that one wouldn’t know it were
there unless one was actually looking for it. This also contributes to the
Association’s cash flow and helps keep the dues down.
Frank
Proulx is the property manager. Marilynn Hamlet has been President of PDCCA’s
unusually large 9-member board of directors for the past 5 years. Says Marilynn,
when asked why she spends so much time in volunteer work, “Volunteering is the
price I pay for my space in life.”
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