Lake La Quinta

Quorum Article - March 2001

Lake La Quinta is a walled and gate guarded community occupying 225 acres on the east side of Washington Street, north of Avenue 48. Its central feature is a 24-acre lake. It is a planned unit development of 280 single-family homes that also includes a commercial element. Construction began some 10 years ago.

The master developer was Wilma Pacific.  Subsequent developers include Landau, Century Homes, Lake La Quinta Communities (Canady & Co), and Northwest Southwest.  A number of custom and semi-custom single lot developers have also been involved. With approximately 80 homes still to be built, the developers are still at work. At the current rate of construction, final build-out should occur in mid 2002.

The commercial area, which is close to Washington on the west side of the development, is anchored by the Lake La Quinta Inn bed & breakfast and spa, which has a lakeside location. Other commercial pads are still to be built out and will include Palm Desert National Bank, a French Restaurant, and other office buildings. The commercial lot next to the lake has been sold but plans for it have not been announced.

The homes thus far built at Lake La Quinta have three or four bedrooms and range in size from approximately 1,900 to 3,300 square feet. Most have their own swimming pool. Lot sizes range from about 7,400 square feet to more than 16,000 square feet. During the past year these homes have sold at prices ranging from $250,000 to $675,000. Lake La Quinta is a family friendly community and attracts mostly full-time as opposed to seasonal residents.

Almost needless to say, its large and beautiful lake dominates Lake La Quinta. The master developer built the lake, utilizing the designer of the lakes at Disneyworld.  The lake and its circulating systems are state of the art. Of the residential lots, 101 are on the lake.

Lakeside homes have their own boat docks, where electric powered boats up to 16 feet may be moored. Paddleboats, canoes, kayaks and small sailboats are also permitted. Bass, catfish, and bluegill abound in the lake. Fishing is encouraged from private docks and the several common area “mini parks,” which are interspersed among the lakeside homes.

Community facilities include a dedicated recreational area, which also borders the lake, and offers swimming pool, tennis courts and BBQ pits. A boat ramp in this area are available to off-lake homeowners to launch their boats.

The homeowners association is responsible for the maintenance of the front yards of all the homes, in order to achieve maximum quality and consistency of landscaping. Kirkpatrick Landscaping handles this work and also maintains the perimeter and interior areas of the development. Desert Aquatics maintains the lake. When the guardhouse is manned, which is planned for full build-out, a professional security company will be employed.

Monthly association dues are $225.00 for on-lake homes and $214.00 for off-lake homes. In addition all homes pay $24.69 for cable television.  The Association faces no major management issues. In this energy conscious environment it is fortunate to have its electricity needs served by Imperial Irrigation District. Electricity costs, principally for lake circulating pumps are a modest $1,100 to $1,200 per month.

J & W Management has managed the homeowner association for the past six years. Property Manager is Juanita Seekins.