Starlight Dunes 

Quorum Article - December 2003

Starlight Dunes is a gated community located on 47 acres of fee simple land at the northwest corner of Fred Waring Drive and Adams Street in North La Quinta. It is across from La Quinta Highlands in a relatively new residential area close to shopping and schools, and with easy access to Washington Street and I-10.

This planned unit development of 149 single-family homes was mainly built out during the period 1989-1999. The builders were Century Homes and Dean Homes. A number of lots were also sold for the construction of custom homes.

Aside from the custom homes, there are five models ranging in size from approximately 2,000 square feet to 3,500 square feet. The lots are pool sized at roughly 10,000 square feet each and most of the homes do in fact have pools. The homes have three or four bedrooms and two or three car garages. Some have space for RV or boat parking and a number of them have two stories.

Prices range from the low $300,000s to $450,000 and those homes that do come on the market sell quickly. Most of the buyers are families with children and more than 90 percent of Starlight owners are full-time residents.

With so many busy families in full time residence, close attention to rules enforcement is important in keeping the neighborhood looking its best. The homeowners appreciate the Board’s efforts in this regard. An active violations committee supports the 5-member Board in this work. The Board is considering an update of the Association’s governing documents, which will help in the rules enforcement process, and will likely appoint a third committee to spearhead this task.

The Board is also assisted by a landscaping committee, which takes special care of Starlight’s very fine perimeter landscaping, fountains, and the appearance of the gates on Fred Waring and Adams. A related project is the completion of the storm water catch basin, which the Board is working on in conjunction with the City of La Quinta’s engineers.

The Association dues are a modest $100 per month. However, the Board works hard to minimize expenses. The fountains and landscape lights are on timers, and both Association and residents benefit from the relatively low electricity costs of Imperial Irrigation District.

Says one Board member, “Starlight Dunes is a great place to live with nice homes, a family friendly atmosphere, and a great location.”

Association vendors include GLS Landscape, Steve Stratton pools, and South Bay Security for the gates.