By Charlene Bisson
Association governed communities throughout the Northwest Valley require residents to follow a set of codes, covenants and conditions primarily to help ensure good property values.
Jim Powell
The Sun Cities are no exception. The Sun City Home Owners Association will host its next CC&R workshop to help residents understand the community rules and why they are important to all homeonwers. The workshop is scheduled 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13 in the meeting room at the SCHOA office, 10401 W. Coggins Drive.
“Whether there is a violation or if someone is wanting to upgrade their home, this workshop is an opportunity to learn the value the CC&Rs have in Sun City before upgrades and/or renovations are made that may cost unnecessary time and expense,” said Carole Studdard, SCHOA marketing director.
She added it is also important that realtors and title company officials are knowledgable about the required guidelines.
Residents will also have an opportunity at the workshop to hear from Charles Hart, Maricopa County Code Enforcement Department director, about the county’s responsibility to enforce its own ordinances.
Scott Isham
SCHOA’s Roads and Safety Committee discussed the possibility, suggested by Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Cruz, of getting county code enforcement officers for parking and other roadway issues. Jim Powell, Roads and Safety Committee chairman, said there are issues with drivers parking on the wrong side of the street and parking on sidewalks, among others.
“We were trying to think outside the box,” he said.
Mr. Powell believes Sun City has many of these types of violations because there is no traffic division in MCSO District 3 and no designated patrol unit for the community.
“It would help if we could get one or two dedicated patrol units for Sun City,” Mr. Powell said.
District 3 is one of the largest of MCSO districts and has not had enough patrol officers for dedicated patrols. Those units assigned to Sun City and Sun City West can be pulled from those areas to help with other situations. Paul Penzone, elected sheriff in November, has been evaluating the organization since he took office Jan. 1. No manpower increases for District 3 have been announced to this point.
However, some street parking is out of the county’s purview, according to Scott Isham, Marciopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman’s chief os staff.
“Unless they are parking on their front lawn, Maricopa County would not be involved,” he stated in an email.
He added Maricopa County does have code enforcement officers that investigate issues in Sun City brought to their attention by complaints.
“Fees can be levied by a hearing officer, but most cases get cleaned up before legal action is needed,” Mr. Isham explained. There are several ways to file a complaint about potential code violations, including by phone and online, Mr. Isham stated. County officials do not enforce Sun City CC&Rs, as that is SCHOA’s responsibility, he added.
“Contact our office or SCHOA to see if it is a code violation or if it is a CC&R matter,” Mr. Isham stated. “Our staff works closely with SCHOA and attends meetings put on by the HOA.”
Next week’s CC&R worksop will include representatives from the Maricopa County Department of Planning and Development, the Registrar of Contractors, the SCHOA Board of Directors and Compliance Department, as well as a Sun City realtor and insurance representative. They will be available to answer questions.
Due to limnited space, reservations are required by emailing Reservations@suncityhoa.org or call 623-974-4718.
file a complaint
County ordinances
www.maricopa.gov/Planning/OrdinanceServices/ReportACodeViolation.aspx
602-506-3301
CC&R violations
623-974-4718
www.suncityhoa.org
