Neighbors in the Enterprise-owned condos need answers, support

Where are the condos that Palermo's developer, at least for the time being, owns and rents out? Positively Palermo used a variety of public means to determine that 34 units of the complex's 117 units are involved in the notice of default filed against the Enterprise Cos. Most of them are rented out and new leases are still being signed despite the possible foreclosure. Perhaps you can infer something from that about whether Enterprise is truly leaving. Here's the list:

1. 220 Enterprise – Unit 83 – D model
2. 270 Enterprise – Unit 110 – A model
3. 3621 Melody Lane – Unit 75 – A model
4. 3631 Melody Lane – Unit 76 – B model
5. 3572 Melody Lane – Unit 89 – C model
6. 3582 Melody Lane – Unit 90 – C model
7. 308 Sandy Point – Unit 146 – A model
8. 228 Sandy Point – Unit 139 - B model
9. 218 Sandy Point – Unit 138 – B model
10. 208 Sandy Point – Unit 137 – A model
11. 245 Sandy Point – Unit 130 – A model
12. 255 Sandy Point – Unit 126 – A model
13. 275 Sandy Point – Unit 122 – D model
14. 232 Breeze Loop – Unit 131 – B model
15. 212 Breeze Loop – Unit 135 – A model
16. 311 Breeze Loop – Unit 119 – D model
17. 231 Breeze Loop – Unit 100 – A model
18. 3596 Sunburst – Unit 189 – E model
19. 3616 Sunburst – Unit 193 – E model
20. 3626 Sunburst – Unit 196 – E model
21. 3676 Sunburst – Unit 205 – E model
22. 3575 Sunburst – Unit 117 – B model
23. 3585 Sunburst – Unit 118 – A model
24. 3558 Quiet Side – Unit 179 – G model
25. 3578 Quiet Side – Unit 183 – E model
26. 3588 Quiet Side – Unit 185 – F model
27. 3607 Quiet Side – Unit 194 – E model
28. 3647 Quiet Side – Unit 202 – F model
29. 3657 Quiet Side – Unit 203 – F model
30. 3667 Quiet Side – Unit 206 – F model
31. 3687 Quiet Side – Unit 210 – E model
32. 3554 Penny Lane – Unit 105 – B model
33. 3564 Penny Lane – Unit 104 – C model
34. 3574 Penny Lane – Unit 103 – C model

Please let this site know if you believe a unit is missing from the list or should be taken off. See the Web page "Basics About the Palermo Palm Springs Development" for descriptions of the development's seven different models. The link for that is on the left-hand column of this page. Many of our dear neighbors live in these units. Miss Penny Lane says: All of us deserve to know what's really happening, such as whether the developer just plans to buy everything back at auction and the recent fuss is for nothing.

Enterprise served with Notice of Default? Stopped making payments on May 5? Owes $13.4 million?

Miss Penny Lane rushed back to Palermo at lunchtime after receiving an e-mail this morning from a "Buzz Canine." Above is the Notice of Default served on PS Venture Indian Canyon / San Rafael LLC. This is the Palermo LLC of the Enterprise Cos. of Chicago. It owes $13,450,378.36 on a $30 million loan, according to what Buzz sent in. The document, dated July 14, 2010, says: "No sale date may be set until three months from the date this notice of default may be recorded." The document states that a payment was missed on May 5, 2010. The Palermo HOA had a board meeting on May 12, 2010 at which the two Enterprise board members said nothing about this to residents attending. (Of course, there must be confirmation by the board that Buzz Canine's documents are the real thing.) Miss Penny Lane's lunch is over but she says: Anyone who wants a copy of the notice may email her and will receive it tonight.

The lights are on, Miss Management

Positively Palermo awoke to be greeted by a bevy of e-mails this morning about Monday evening's homeowners association meeting. Those three fellows on the HOA board certainly have their hands full after the resignations of the two board members who represented the Enterprise development company. The company only gave a rather cryptic reason for the resignations. One resident sent in an e-mail last night that said we all are still in the dark about whether Enterprise really is going into foreclosure. But the e-mail noted that foreclosure might not mean Enterprise here is history. The e-mail added that other developers in the valley have gone into foreclosure only to buy back their properties for pennies on the dollar at auction, according to what was said Monday night. But is Enterprise's future here the biggest concern for our desert resort, or is it the continuing but solvable management problems? Here's what a late-night e-mail had to say: "Pen, the mismanagement is just too much. They are considering raising HOA fees by $100. Yet the management company for months hasn't started the collections process on 15 grand of unpaid HOA fees. Instead, we just get talk. The financial report included big spikes in the maintenance account, sending up all kinds of alarms. But it took pulling teeth to find out from our 'professional' paid management company that some of this increase was from one-time expenses, such as putting in security cameras and fire extinguishers, that won't happen again. The electricity and gas accounts also are out of hand, but as the board discussed this situation it was daylight out and the landscaping lighting already was on outside!!! It's been like this for months and nothing has been done by the management company to correct it, nada. Maybe you can start a count down here on the days it will take to fix this. People also are turning up the pool and spa heaters because the equipment isn't always locked despite the management company knowing about this situation. Help! Help!" We must all come together to help and problem-solve. But first let's all raise a glass of cognac, as Miss Penny Lane says a sarcastic toast to our Desert Resort: Miss Management, cheers!

HOA meeting is Monday at 6 p.m.

Another beautiful Saturday morning at Palermo. The homeowners association has its quarterly meeting set for 6 p.m. Monday, July 26 in our clubhouse. The resignation from the HOA board of the two Enterprise Cos. executives, including Board President Ron Shipka Jr., will be a big topic of discussion. It was quite wonderful that the board had its agenda taped to the mailboxes to let us know of the meeting. In the past, problems have existed in terms of little notification. Miss Penny Lane asks: Is a new brighter day dawning at this lovely little community called Palermo Palm Springs?

Educated view: Palermo's future shining bright

Everyone knows that Palermo is one of the best long-term buys in Palm Springs because the neighboring area is on the verge of being reborn. The College of the Desert has committed $40 million to develop the first phase of its new West Valley Campus, just up Indian Canyon from Palermo. The first phase will have 50,000 square feet of classrooms, offices and labs. The other three phases include more than 250,000 in square footage, including such facilities as a performing arts center. Construction could start in 2012. The new green campus will serve 20,000 full-time and part-time students. COD also is looking to offer four-year programs in partnership with another institution. A new "Sunrise Parkway" road going from Indian Canyon to Hwy. 111 is planned as part of Phase 1. Also part of the first phase is "creating a gateway to the city" and "establishing a presence on North Indian Canyon Drive." The city expects major retail and other development once the campus is underway, with more services like better mass transit to come. The college will have a "transit hub" with a modern design. (By the way, the city and county also are using $20 million federal recovery money on design and construction for the Indian Canyon Drive and Interstate 10 interchange improvement project. A motel and other restaurants already have been approved for up there.)

Here's part of a story in this morning's paper on the college's plans: The Palm Springs City Council voted 3-0 tonight to spend more than $2.1 million to purchase 119 acres in North Palm Springs for the College of the Desert's West Valley Campus, which will provide job training programs. Ground is expected to be broken for the campus on the northwest corner of Tramview Road and Indian Canyon Drive in 2012, with classes planned to begin in the fall of 2014, according to Amy Blaisdell, Palm Springs' communications director. The campus will be integrated with existing recreational resources at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center. It will feature a 70-acre "green park," focusing on sustainable energy system and facilities for green and clean technology research, development, training and education, Blaisdell said. City officials hope the campus will become the home of the proposed Coachella Valley iHub, a state-funded program meant to be an incubator for creating green companies and jobs in the region. College officials hope the new campus will serve more than 20,000 full- and part-time students in hospitality and culinary arts, film, media and allied health, Blaisdell said. "The city of Palm Springs is tremendously excited about our partnership with the College of the Desert in bringing this much needed new campus to our underserved community," Mayor Steve Pougnet said. "The Palm Springs campus will be one of the most green and clean in the country -- and will set the standard when it comes to educating thousands of students for the next generation of green jobs.

Miss Penny Lane says: Palermo and its neighborhood is on the verge of greatness, and now that the out-of-town developer of Palermo is leaving, our lovely community will be in charge of its own destiny with residents finally in control.

So long, Enterprise? Chicago developer expects 'to lose interest in the property in the next 30 days'

Back in the day: Sales literature and a map of Phase 2


Remember the sales office that Enterprise put up?

The developer of Palermo — the Enterprise Companies of Chicago — is a high-quality builder that had sunny California dreams. But the economy tanked. Arriving home from work, Positively Palermo found an important e-mail in the in-box. The e-mail from a Palermo HOA board representative said: "I wanted you to know on behalf of the HOA that as of yesterday Enterprise has resigned from the Board including President Ron Shipka Jr. and Treasurer Gordon Camaresi. When asked why the action was so sudden, we were told 'we expect to lose interest in the property in the next 30 days.' None of us are sure what that means and we are trying to get clarification. I think you need to post to let everyone know." Miss Penny Lane wishes Enterprise well, and she asks: Who will take over Enterprise's unsold condos, what will happen to our neighbors who rent them, and is Palermo's planned Phase 2 history? Our lovely community awaits the answers.

Great buys: What's for sale at Palermo?

Our posting two months ago, on May 13, noticed that more "for sale" and "foreclosure" signs were popping up in our little enclave. Several units had auction notices taped on their doors. Palermo has 117 units, with about 34 still owned by the developer and being rented. Of the remaining 83 or so, there always have been some condos on the market. Since our last posting on Palermo real estate, numerous units have been sold or are under contract. Some never even had for-sale signs put up and were sold. Here's a best guess of what's on the market based on for-sale signs in the windows or eviction/foreclosure-type notices posted on front doors.

- 210 Enterprise had a notice posted on its door. This is a two bedroom, two-floor D unit. 1,286 square feet.
- 3641 Melody Lane. Two-bedroom, two-story B-unit. Scott Lyle is the agent.
- 3671 Melody Lane. Two bedroom, two-story loft A-unit with separate pool and spa. 1,375 square feet. Listed 6/16/2010 for $210,000. (The owner of this unit, a lovely man named David, passed away).
- 248 Sandy Point has a for-sale sign. Two bedroom, two-story loft A-unit. 1,375 square feet.
- 258 Sandy Point has a for-sale sign. Two bedroom, two-story B-unit. 1,320 square feet. Listed 5/11/2010 for $199,900.
- 3587 Quiet Side. Two bedroom, single-level G-unit. 1131 square. feet
- 3617 Quiet Side. One bedroom, single-level E-unit. 831 square feet. (For sale sign taken down, may be off the market)
- 3697 Quiet Side. Two bedroom, single-level G-unit. 1131 square feet. Listed 5/4/2010 for $184,900.
- 3586 Sunburst. Two bedroom, single-level G-unit. 1131 square feet. Foreclosure. Listed 6/28/2010 for $163,200.
- 3686 Sunburst. One bedroom, single-level E-unit. 831 square feet. Listed 1/6/2010 for $187,000.
- 3563 Penny Lane. Two bedroom, two-story C-unit with spa. 1,275 square feet. Had foreclosure sign on it.
- 272 Breeze Loop. Two bedroom, two-story loft A-unit. 1,375 square feet. Foreclosure. No trespassing sign on door.

The square footage listed above is based on builder handouts. You can check out more about Palermo, like the type and number of different units and floor plans, in this site's "Basics about the Palermo Palm Springs development" page. Just click the link on the left-hand column of this page. Back in the heyday, the one-bedroom single level units were selling for more than $325,000 and the biggest two-bedroom units (the A-units with two stories and loft) were going for nearly $500,000. It's a smart time to buy into Palermo. Miss Penny Lane says once again: How eager we all are to meet the new residents who will move into these empty units and join our wonderful community of good spirits. Welcome.

When will the repainting begin?

Those who have lived here for years know that the reddish paint on our homes hasn't lived up to expectations. There are blotches of white. There are places where it's even peeling. The copper color also has had some problems. The cost of repainting should be paid for by those responsible for these problems, rather than have HOA dues go to this expense. The board has promised a solution. One home has received a new paint job as a test case. (See the bigger picture to see how wonderful the unit looks after the repainting. See the two smaller pictures for examples of the blotching and peeling.) Miss Penny Lane says: Please begin the repainting because this blotching and spotting is an affront to the beauty that is our wonderful Palermo.

Palermo's palms get big haircuts

Palermo residents were greeted this Saturday morning by the sound of chain saws buzzing and machetes being whacked, as our community's palms received major trimmings. There has been much concern about whether the palm trees are getting enough water. Miss Penny Lane asks: Could this be the beginning of all Palermo's plants being cared for in the proper manner, rather than being neglected?

Earthquake rocks Palermo for about 30 seconds

Is everyone OK? News reports now say the quake was a magnitude 5.4 (originally they said it was a 5.9). It was centered in Borrego Springs, about 28 miles from Palm Springs. The buildings were shaking here at Palermo. So far, there have been numerous aftershocks. Everyone, meet near the clubhouse if it gets worse. Report any damage found here on Positively Palermo — and to the official Palermo management too, of course. Go to http://earthquake.usgs.gov/ for more information. Miss Penny Lane says: Once again, this is a reminder that Palermo needs an emergency plan and a safety committee.

Statement from Miss Penny Lane re: Comments missing because of blogspot.com's glitch

Hello my Palermo dearies. Back from a long weekend away, it was wonderful to see your many comments posted about the 4th of July festivities, concerns about the watering of our community plants, and questions about recycling day. One resident posted detailed, thoughtful comments about the pool lights being out at night and being unable to use the pool at night on this holiday weekend. Tonight we find that many comments are gone. Rest assured, Positively Palermo did NOT delete them. Blogspot.com is having a system-wide problem and randomly deleted comments from thousands of blogs. It's hoped they will be restored, but that's uncertain at this point. Miss Penny Lane says: Sorry for this glitch and pain, and please repost your comments if you have time and they still are relevant. Cheers!

Wishing you a blast of an Independence Day

Our wonderful Palermo undoubtedly will be busy with pool parties with the local hotties, BBQs and the celebratory spirit over the Independence Day weekend. Remember to watch out for the ears of your furry friends if there are fireworks. Your blog hostess will be gone for the long weekend. But Miss Penny Lane says to her Palermo dearies before she hits the road: Have a great and safe Fourth of July. You are what makes living here the best community in Palm Springs.

Are Palermo's plants getting enough water?

There's been discussion here and individually among neighbors about whether Palermo's plants are being watered enough now that the heat is here. Some have said certain palms are dying. Concern about the landscaping also was brought up at the last homeowners association meeting. Was there any follow-up about this by management? Miss Penny Lane urges: If you believe the plants in front of your home are crying for water, please take the time to water them because that's the Spirit of Palermo.

A new security company?

Positively Palermo received this question: "Do we have a new security company here? I have seen many more patrols by a new company, Maxwell. When did this change? Nothing has gone out to residents. The new patrol guys are really cute - a nice new benefit, btw." Miss Penny Lane says: Now she is getting excited. Is this truth or fiction?