Rental on Sunburst ready for March

A one-bedroom villa on Sunburst is on the rental market at $925 per month. The link on Craigslist is http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/apa/3617224859.html. The listing says: "This is an adorable 1bedroom 1.5 bath condo in the Palermo Community. Picture living in this peaceful area where the views of the mountains are amazing. The condo features a nice living area with an open area for your desk or use as a den. Dual fireplace in living room/master bedroom, washer/dryer, gated front entry into the unit, covered carport in front of unit and two patios. The is community is gated, offers pools and spas, club house has a rec. room and gym. Minutes from Downtown Palm Springs restaurants, shopping, entertainment and more. Approx. 925 sq. ft. Will Consider A Pet." Miss Penny Lane says: She's sunny on Sunburst.

'Happy days are here'

Positively Palermo received this e-mail: "Dear Ms. Penny Lane -- Wonderful job you do but we were just down to our place for some days and we wanted to relay the positive thoughts of how happy we are at Palermo and the return of the happy days are here -- the place is looking good and prices are going up, good management in place, want to say Thanks to the HOA board members as people say it is a thankless job, so Thanks! We were a bit worried that no increase in HOA dues might mean problems in upkeep but we spoke to a board member who informed us that we are putting in the six-figure range into the reserve funds instead of spending that pot as beforehand. Big THANKS to you and all our neighbors ..." Miss Penny Lane says: She likes the blue skies that come with happy days.

Winds set to blow in

Wind and some rain are coming to the valley. A news report says: "A powerful storm system dropping out of the Gulf of Alaska is expected to bring strong winds and moisture to the valley, starting Tuesday. “You’ll have all kinds of winds all across the valley,” said Joe Dandrea, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego. The worst of the winds will hit the valley Tuesday night and continue through Wednesday, he said. Wind speeds will range from 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph. High temperatures will likely be in the low 60s both days. Motorists on Interstate 10 should be alert for blowing sand and reduced visibility.Communities on desert slopes, or near them, could get wind gusts as high as 65-70 mph, he said. The storm is expected to bring snow to the mountains and rain to the valley. Rainfall should be less than a tenth of an inch. Once the storm leaves the area, residents should expect gorgeous views of the mountains." Miss Penny Lane says: She's holding on to her hat.

Palermo B model comes on the market

A model B unit at Palermo Palm Springs on Melody Lane has appeared on the MLS as a short sale, apparently the only unit at Palermo on the market after the few on the market have been quickly snapped up. The MLS listing says: "Short sale Opportunity. Perfect Desert get-a-way or year round home! Welcome to Palermo! A newer Community of architectural Townhouses and Villas designed by Chris Mills and developed by Enterprise California. Desirable floor plan; kitchen open to living area. Kitchen is spacious and offers breakfast bar, beautiful cabinets, granite counters, and black appliances! Additional features include; slab granite, sealed concrete floors, and carpet. Enjoy Relaxing or entertaining in private covered patio or spacious 2nd floor sundeck! Enjoy Mountain Views! Single car garage and inside laundry area. Community is walled and gated with 2 pools, 2 spas, state-of-the-art gym, recreation room ... Low HOA of only $294 per month." The price is $214,000. The listing also is on the Windmere site at: http://www.windermere.com/listing?legacyid=133041464. Miss Penny Lane says: A lucky buyer awaits!

More marketing materials

Here is another of the original marketing materials for Palermo Palm Springs touting Palermo as "your personal oasis."Thanks for sending this. Miss Penny Lane says: She loves a pool view.

Happy V-Day, Palermo

Positively Palermo wishes all at Happy Valentine's Day. Miss Penny Lane says: She's sweet on Palermo.

D model back yard illustration

Here is the back yard illustration from the original Palermo Palm Springs sales material. Thank you for sending it in. Miss Penny Lane says: She's Delighted.

D model marketing materials - front

Thank you to you all who have sent in copies of some of the original Palermo marketing materials. Here is the front of D model unit materials. We will publish the back yard drawing next. Miss Penny Lane says: D is for darling.

Train service from Palm Springs to L.A.

The morning newspaper has a story about train service to Los Angeles, with the train station just up Indian Canyon Drive from Palermo Palm Springs, another development that is making Palermo the place to be. the story: "A weekend getaway to Palm Springs from Los Angeles could get a lot easier. No, there’s not a new highway planned or can’t-pass-up flight deals. A two-hour and nearly effortless trip to the Coachella Valley could become a reality thanks to expanded intercity passenger rail service between Los Angeles and Indio. Local officials would like to see daily Amtrak rail service to the valley, a step up from the three-day-a-week service available now. And some of those who are lobbying for the move come from the region’s tourism industry, who say Friday afternoon traffic congestion in the Los Angeles metro region is so grueling, a number of travelers are simply staying in on Friday. (They) would like to see a daily train depart Union Station about 5:30 p.m. to pull into Palm Springs at about 7:30 p.m., terminating in Indio. And a morning train heading back into the city would leave Indio about 8 a.m. Today’s Amtrak service is provided by the train known as the Sunset Limited, which runs three days a week. The westbound Sunset Limited comes through Palm Springs at about 2 a.m. and arrives at Union Station at 5:30 a.m. The eastbound train leaves Union Station about 10 p.m. and arrives in Palm Springs at about 12:30 a.m." Miss Penny Lane says: She's onboard.

Marketing materials

Positively Palermo has received three photos from the original Palermo marketing materials along with an e-mail stating in part, "Hi Miss Penny L, Here are some images from the original Palermo Sales Brochure....There are no cars hanging out in the driveways...tacky, tacky..... Thanks to all who are attempting to restore Palermo to its original glory. We salute you!" We will post them all this week. Miss Penny Lane says: Keep sending them.

CC&R's and driveway parking restrictions?

Positively Palermo received this e-mail: "Hi Miss Penny Lane, We recently received a notice to all homeowners for Palermo Palm Springs and wanted to receive some clarification on parking rules in the CC&Rs. I called Euclid Management and told them we have a long 26ft driveway and is it ok to permanently park a car in the driveway as long as it doesn't stick out past the curve. They said it was fine but if we go away for ong periods of time then we would need to let them know. However the CC&Rs state that if a unit driveway is 22ft or longer, then the authorized vehicle may parked in the driveway for a period not to exceed 72 hours, provided that the vehicle does not encroach onto the sidewalk or there public or private right of way. By having the 72 hours rule, that means basically no vehicle really can park in their driveway longer than 72 hours no matter what size your driveway. That brings up another issue. After 72 hours can that same vehicle park in the driveway again? What is the time frame after the 72 hours can the car come back to park in the driveway for another 72 hours? Can they park in a guest spot and then move back to their own driveway? Seems to me there needs to be more clarification on the parking. Do you have a comment or have an answer? Thanks so much. J ..." Miss Penny Lane says: She's feeling super about Palermo.

Year in review: Holiday cheer lights up Palermo again

Concluding our year in review, the No. 10 story of 2012 was the most-ever display of holiday lights, showing the cheer of the season was alive and well at Palermo Palm Springs. Miss Penny Lane says: She's tanned, rested and ready after some days off work and away.

Hoax on San Rafael

The morning newspaper had this story: "Police are searching for the person who created a “hoax” device and planted it on the curb along San Rafael Drive on Sunday morning, forcing closure of a portion of the street for more than three hours while officials investigated. The device was found at 10:07 a.m. by someone out for a walk, Palm Springs police Sgt. Harvey Reed said. “While it was not an explosive device, it was designed to look like one,” Reed said.The Sheriff’s Department Hazardous Device Team assisted Palm Springs police in the investigation and deployed a robot to inspect the device, which appeared to be covered in a fluorescent green wrapping. Surrounding residents were not evacuated, but the street was closed to traffic and pedestrians between Hermosa Drive and Avenida Caballeros." Miss Penny Lane says: She's welcoming back the blue skies for the start of the week.

New dog waste station installed

A new trash and dog waste station with plastic bags has been installed next to the Palermo clubhouse. Miss Penny Lane says: She's barking for a new trash can for herself at home.

Annual meeting

The Palermo Palm Springs HOA had its annual meeting yesterday evening. If we get any reports we will post them, or add them here if you attended. Miss Penny Lane says: She's also ready for her annual check-up.

Year in review: Big changes for 34 condos

Continuing our year in review, the No. 9 story of 2012 was the big change for Palermo residents living in the 34 unsold condos, first owned by the developer Enterprise and then a Chicago bank. In 2012, these units were bought by a private company. The local rental company, which at one point also had spot on the HOA board, is no longer managing these units with the new company taking over the duties. Miss Penny Lane says: What a wonderful sunny Saturday morning at Palermo, with the clouds disappearing.

Sunburst concerns

Positively Palermo received this e-mail regarding an event earlier this month: "Hi Ms. Penny, I am not sure that this e-mail will make any sense given that I was up from 2:00 AM - 4:00 AM because of a party on Sunburst last night. It is amazing how insensitive people can be as they honk their horns, scream, and drive down the street at 40 mph all in the middle of the night. But, the main reason I am writing you is that I called the security company last night to come and check out the noise disturbance and the security officer told me he didn't have the gate code to get into the complex. Are you kidding me? We are paying a security company that cannot get into our community? In the end I don't think he ever showed up and all of us were up and unable to sleep during the mid-night craziness ... Thanks, A Tired Sunburst Resident." Miss Penny Lane says: Sorry!

Year in review: Community rallies around HOA board

Continuing our year in review, the No. 8 story of 2012 was the way in which the Palermo community or owners and renters came together to support the Palermo Palm Springs HOA board in the summer. A board "recall" attempt — dubbed a so-called "takeover" attempt by some — ended up backfiring with the community rallying around the four individuals holding the board leadership positions, who were all re-elected and even in some cases given longer terms. The election saw nearly everyone vote. Miss Penny Lane says: She's like to recall this cool weather.

HOA board elections upcoming

The annual elections for Palermo Palm Springs HOA board of directors is this month, with two of the five seats on the board up for election. The terms of for two years each. Two candidates are running for the two places, and thus there is not much of an election, an odd situation perhaps in light of the number of candidates in the failed recall election of 2012 in which owners backed the current board leadership by huge numbers. Miss Penny Lane says: She's electing to pamper herself this weekend.

Year in review: Palermo home prices ´skyrocket´ in 2012

Continuing our year in review, the No. 7 story of the year is the increasing home prices at Palermo Palm Springs of the so-called non-distressed homes (not short sales or foreclosure sales), which have gone up between 50 and 75 percent from the years before. The reasons are said to include both - macro - a lack of modern homes on the Palm Springs market and - micro - the enhanced management situation, increased reserves and stable HOA monthly dues, and positively views that Palermo is a safe and stable community that enforces rules to protect investments and quality of life. Miss Penny Lane says: She´s happier than ever.

Year in review: HOA gets large cash settlement

Continuing our year in review, the No. 6 story of the year was that the HOA board reached a "settlement" with the bank that owned the "Enterptrise" condos and other properties, including $150K to be put into the Palermo HOA reserves and tens of thousands of dollars for other expenses. Miss Penny Lane says: She´s never reserved.

Year in review: HOA dues aren´t raised

Continuing our year in review, the No. 5 story is that the HOA board did not raise the monthly HOA dues, and kept them at $294 per month, a first. Dues had been going up every year, but now we have been told we are operating in the black and putting money in the rainy day reserves accounts to boot. Miss Penny Lane says: Now she has more cash for her make-up fund.

A nice note

Positively Palermo received this e-mail: "Miss Penny, Thanks for this site and what you do for Palermo. I like all the holiday lights and pictures. Keep up the good work for us and I will be reading in 2013. Signed, A Fan." Miss Penny Lane says: Cheers to you, too.