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Hoagland: Sun City — a wonderful place to live

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J

ust a few years ago, after retiring from a long and challenging career, I decided to live the remainder of my life in a different place.

I looked for the ideal community — a place with people my age to meet and enjoy with all the amenities imaginable a retiree might want. After a search in several sun-belt states with many locations, I chose Sun City, Arizona. Sun City, “The Original Fun City” or “The City of Volunteers” was the winner.

It is a beautiful community with all the features I was hoping for. The most important feature is that it is a 55-plus community. At the closing of the purchase for my new home in this glorious community, I needed to show identification, proving I was over 55 years of age (easy peasy) and sign an acknowledgment of the deed restrictions (covenants, conditions and restrictions). Perfect.

I and my fellow residents of Sun City agree to abide by these rules for the benefit of all. Sadly, not all property owners accept that rules apply to them. Let’s focus on the 55-plus overlay. It clearly states that at least one resident must be 55 or older. It also states that no person under age 19 may reside on that property. Yes, there are allowances for emergencies and guests. If you can’t find your copy of the CC&R’s, Sun City Home Owners Association can provide one through their office, 10401 W. Coggins Drive, or website, suncityhoa.org.

The 55-plus overlay (restriction) is the number one reason that Sun City exists. When a property owner cheats on this rule they are harming all the rest of us. It is not OK. We cannot stand by letting cheaters make our community less than it should be. If we allow underage people to live in Sun City we can lose the 55-plus overlay. Sun City will be destroyed unless we defend it.

I’ve spoken to some who say, “It’s just temporary” or “There’s not that many.” SCHOA’s response is that all offenders have to be pursued. We cannot wait until the tipping point is reached. How can we say this person is to be ignored and not the next person? A typical report from a homeowner is, “Why isn’t SCHOA doing anything about this?” One current case is a property owner asking for a “temporary use permit” for an underage person to occupy a residence. SCHOA has been trying to make the property return to compliance since August of 2021. This permit will allow them to help destroy Sun City.

We all need to stand up and protect Sun City! If not, Sun City will cease to exist.

Editor’s Note: Eric Hoagland is Sun City Home Owners Association board president.