Parc La Quinta

Quorum Article - March 2000

Parc La Quinta is a gated community of 150 single-family homes situated on  Washington Avenue adjacent to Rancho La Quinta. The homes range in size from 1,600 to 2,200 square feet, have three or four bedrooms and are in single and two-story configuration. They are all on large pool-sized lots and most have pools installed. Over the past 12 months prices have ranged from $145,000 to $220,000.

The developer of Parc La Quinta was Barcon, a locally based company. Construction took place between 1990 and 1994. These were difficult years for Coachella Valley real estate and as a marketing incentive, Barcon provided many of the swimming pools that now grace the back yards in the development. Despite these difficult times, the developer furnished a solidly built product with no hint of the construction defect problems that have afflicted so many Desert communities over recent years. Upon final hand-over, Barcon left the homeowner association in good shape with its reserves fully funded.

The common area for which the homeowner association is responsible is limited to the gates, streets and the perimeter walls. The association is also responsible for maintaining the park-like flood retention basin, which resident families enjoy for soccer, baseball, BBQs and other recreation.

Because individual homeowners are entirely responsible for the maintenance of their own homes, including their highly visible front yards, the association’s Board of Directors is very conscious of the need to keep a careful and constant eye on the community’s appearance. Maintenance standards are high and exclude commercial vehicles, and RVs. While strict enforcement of the rules is a high priority, enforcement is rarely a problem because all homeowners understand that high standards also mean high property values.

The 7-member board of directors holds its monthly meetings off-site in the nearby La Quinta Hotel. Naturally, all homeowners are invited and there is normally a good turnout. Parc La Quinta homeowners tend not to be retirees or second homers and are for the most part working professionals with families. Although busy people, they are nonetheless fully involved in their association’s affairs. As working professionals themselves, they appreciate a professional job by their property manager, Cam Anderson of Avail Property Management.