Homeowners take over board at San Tan Heights

Submitted by Jeff Studley

On Tuesday, the development of San Tan Heights in the unincorporated area of Pinal County near Queen Creek transitioned from a developer-controlled HOA board of directors to a homeowner-controlled board of directors.

The previous board consisted of two people appointed by the developer, Larry Miller. The newly elected board has seven homeowners seated. Four members will be seated for a two-year term and three will be for one year.

Many of those elected have various degrees of experience on previous HOA boards, but all have a high passion to make San Tan Heights a premier community in Pinal County. They have a big challenge ahead, as most HOAs are having financial difficulties due to high foreclosure rates and landscape issues. But the people who comprise the present San Tan Heights HOA board and the residents of the community have taken many steps this past year to achieve the premier status they want.

Many people have taken on the obligation of cleaning up the yards in empty houses. A group of men is taking down graffiti as soon as it's reported, then the sheriff's unit for graffiti comes out and does a second coat. CCMC, the management company, has created many programs for youths in the area, including a teen club, soccer league and a monthly Ladies Night Out at the Terrace in Johnson Ranch.

The San Tan Heights Community Watch has been working with the PCSO for the past three years in trying to achieve a safer place to live and play. With close to 400 people on the STHCW distribution list, the common theme is commitment to community well being.

The new San Tan Heights board of directors may have many big challenges ahead, but it has a big community of concerned and involved people behind them.