Casablanca 

Quorum Article - September 2004

Casablanca comprises 134 single storey, white stucco “duplex” condominium units utilizing four different floor plans. The complex is situated on the corner of Portola Avenue and Hovely Lane West in Palm Desert and is centrally located to shopping and services. Noted developer Kaufman and Broad built the project out from 1981 to 1984.

Casablanca’s main street, Calle Bisque, runs east and west, with four side streets branching off into cul-de-sacs. The amenities include three tennis courts and four swimming pools and spas as well as about a quarter mile of public sidewalk meandering through the development.

This quiet neighborhood is small enough for neighbors to have good personal relationships. Association. This is not a retirement community but one composed of a cross section of business owners, middle class working families and retirees giving diversity to the community. Approximately two thirds of the residents are full time.

Casablanca is a financially stable community with a Board of Directors dedicated to preserving the planned amenities through the effective use of resources and by observing judicious fiscal policies. The Board makes every effort to maintain and enhance the investment values of the community and tries hard to maximize the owners’ enjoyment of the physical facilities. Being a small development, not having to maintain expensive facilities is also an advantage.

The most striking feature of Casablanca and one valued most by the homeowners as their primary asset is the way it is laid out, providing most homeowners with views over relatively large areas of green space. Homes are angled in different directions in order to open up landscaped views. One does not have the feeling of being in a densely populated area.

The development consists of four models. The Andalusia, being the smallest, is about 1300 square feet. The Biscay is 1400 square feet, the Corsica 1500, and the Dominique is 1700 square feet. All models feature high vaulted ceilings and plenty of windows. Recent selling prices have been in the range of $220,000 to $270,000. One of the last units sold was bid up past its asking price. 

Casablanca is centrally located to most commercial services in Palm Desert. Within a mile and a half are two major grocery store malls, the North side post office, and the commercial areas of Cook Street. The College of the Desert is within a mile, while El Paseo is just about 2 miles away. On a day-to-day basis most people could ride a bike to anywhere they would want to go for goods and services. It is also just three quarters of a mile to the City’s Desert Willow Golf Resort.

With the community now more than 20 years old, the Board has embarked on a number of major  maintenance projects. At present it is finishing the replacement of the roofs of the last 21 units, utilizing the Fibertile system offered by Al Miller Roofing. This offers the advantage of a 15-year life span roofing system without the maintenance expense of most foam roof systems.

The irrigation system is also undergoing some redesign. The old system tended to spray water on everything, including homes and streets, and the redesign will try to direct water on plants, not homes and infrastructure. This should both prolong the life of the physical improvements and also save money by not wasting as much water. With the same end in mind, the Board is also encouraging those homeowners who want to participate to retrofit foundation plants around their homes with drought resistant plants.

The Board is also working on a complete revision or restatement of the community’s almost 25-year-old CC&Rs to bring them up to date with current California law and eliminate the provisions relating to the original developer. This is an opportunity for the community to take stock of itself, reassess its identity and decide how it wants to be run and financed for the future.

Active standing committees assisting the 5-member Board of Directors are Maintenance, Landscape, and Social. A new Disaster Preparedness committee is being formed to provide planning and organization in case of a major earthquake.

Says Association President, Syd Sonneborn, ”The main problem members of the Board face is communication related. We need to try to establish clear, timely channels of communication with homeowners, management, vendors, and ourselves. It is a never-ending, ongoing challenge. When it works, things do get done!”

Landscape services are provided by La Esperanza (Pedro Aquayo of Indio, owner). Gate maintenance is by H & H Ornamental Iron. Palm Springs Pump maintains the pumps for the tertiary water irrigation system. LaBarre Oksnee furnishes insurance services. Kirk Ainsworth provides pool service.

The Monarch Group furnishes management services. Rosie Galla is Association Manager. Says Rosie, “Casablanca’s Board is a pleasure to work with. The Board members have made great strides by being very hands on, yet each director has a specific area of responsibility and communication with management is centralized and flows smoothly.