Thu, Jan 23, 1997 (11:59 a.m.)

Operational responsibilities for Del Webb's Sun City development at Summerlin will shift from the builder to homeowners next week with an election that will place majority control of the community association in the hands of residents.

Sun City's 11,000 residents will vote Tuesday to fill seven seats on a nine-member homeowners association. The two remaining seats, held over because of staggered terms, were filled by designees of the Del Webb Corp., which opened the property in 1989. Fourteen residents will vie for the seven positions.

Del Webb, the Phoenix-based company that builds retirement communities all over the country, told residents that the transition to resident control would occur as soon as 75 percent of the lots in the development were sold. Del Webb has controlled five of the seats since the development opened.

Sean Patrick, a spokesman for Del Webb, said Sun City Summerlin is the third company development to undergo the transition to homeowner control. Because of rapid growth, the Southern Nevada transition has occurred faster than the other two, the original Sun City northwest of Phoenix and Sun City Tucson in Arizona.

"The Del Webb process is unique," said Patrick. "As we reach build-out, when the last house is built, we step away and let the homeowners run things."

The last two slots on the association board of directors will be turned over to homeowners when the last lot is sold. Del Webb officials project that will occur in 1999 when the population of the area is about 15,000.

The 2,474-acre master-planned Sun City community at Summerlin is one of two Del Webb properties in Southern Nevada marketed to people 55 and older. Sales began in Sun City MacDonald Ranch in Henderson last year. Del Webb also has five neighborhoods in development in Southern Nevada under its Coventry Homes name.

"Because of the close and cooperative arrangement between Del Webb and the resident board members, we anticipate a seamless transition," said Dick Fried, a spokesman for Sun City Summerlin Community Association Inc. "We're glad to keep some representation from Del Webb. We don't want to lose a resource like that."

There's plenty at stake for the association. With annual revenues of about $10 million from membership dues (currently about $240 a year per residence), greens fees and food and beverage operations, the association oversees 200 employees.

"Most people don't realize that it is the association that oversees the Sun City development maintenance and not Del Webb," said Fried.

The transition has turned into an education process for Fried, a former executive for National Cash Register who fell in love with the Las Vegas lifestyle and moved to Sun City Summerlin after a visit.

"Most people are just worried about Del Webb leaving and what will happen to their home warranties," said Fried. "We reassure people that we're not being abandoned."

After the election, the community's three golf courses and three recreational centers, worth nearly $60 million, will come under full control of the residents.

Fried said there aren't many controversies when it comes to operating the association, even though there are standing committees that oversee finances, architecture, deed restriction enforcement and standard business functions.

Possibly the biggest dispute involves funding the three Billy Casper-designed golf courses, Palm Valley, Highland Falls and Eagle Crest.

While some residents say the golf courses should be funded exclusively with greens fees and related clubhouse sales, others say the existing policy of dedicating a portion of membership dues should be continued.

Critics say the golf course should be self-sufficient and that golfers should pay for maintenance of the course, while backers of the current policy argue that the golf courses enhance property values and should be funded by the membership fees.

About 70 Sun City residents have been working with Del Webb for 19 months to insure a smooth transition.

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