The Rancher
Fall 2002




Board Sets 2003 Assessment Rates


At its meeting of October 29, 2002, the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association Board of Directors set the 2003 Annual Assessment Rate at $180.00.

Total income projected for 2003 is $2,582,000.00 with operating and capital expenditures budgeted at $2,482,000.00.

The projected net income of $100,000.00 may well be necessary to cover unanticipated expenditures in the areas of water consumption, attorney fees, insurance rate increases and equipment breakdowns. Any unspent income will be transferred to the contingency fund.

Our projected income for 2003 increases $7,000.00 over 2002 while our expenses are expected to decrease by $8,000.00 over 2002.


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Notice of 2003 Annual Meeting


The ANNUAL MEETING of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association will be February 18, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lakeview Room of the Clubhouse at McCormick Ranch, 7505 E. McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ.

This year, three (3) directors will be elected by property owners of record.

Petition forms will be available at the POA office located at 9248 N. 94th Street on Monday, November 4, 2002. Completed petitions must be returned to the POA office no later than 4:00 p.m., November 29, 2002.


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Two New POA Directors Appointed

Janet M. Wilson has been appointed as a Director of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association by the POA Board to fill the unexpired term of her late husband, Murray Wilson.

In addition to carrying on Murray’s devotion to McCormick Ranch, Janet currently serves as a member of the Arizona Historical Society, is a past Chairman and current member of the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission, is a past President and current member of the Scottsdale Historical Society, is a member of the General Dynamics Scottsdale Community Liaison Council, is a Past President and current Board member for the Friends of Scottsdale Public Library, and is President of the Friends of Family Service Agency.

Janet is a graduate of the Chandler Business School in Boston, MA and has extensive experience in both the Banking and Law professions.

Janet has lived on McCormick Ranch since early 1975 and has three children and six grandchildren.


Frederick “Sam” Luft III has been appointed as a Director of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association by the POA Board to fill the unexpired term of Patrick M. Klein, who resigned.

Sam is a Designated Broker for CWS Marketing Group, Inc., with responsibilities for sales in both the private treaty real estate and the auction method of marketing.

Sam has a B.A. in Communications and Marketing from our very own Arizona State University in Tempe, and has also attended Mesa Community College in addition to the State of Missouri Auction School.

Sam’s community activities include serving as a current Board Member of the McCormick Ranch Little League and a volunteer member of the Community Justice Committee for the Superior Court of Arizona Juvenile Court Center.

Sam and his wife, Laura, have lived on McCormick Ranch since 1992 and have one son.


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Christmas Wreath Program to Start on December 16th

Now in it’s 20th very successful year, the POA’s wreath kit program will start on December 16. All McCormick Ranch residents are again invited to pick up a free wreath kit at the POA office.

If you would like all the fixings to make a 12 to 20 inch wreath, free of charge, stop by the Association office located at 9248 N. 94th Street (east of Pima Road, south of Via Linda at the end of 94th Street).

Fresh cuttings of juniper shrubs and pine trees along with pine cones will be available starting Monday, December 16th. Included with the kit will be assembly material and a tube frame with pre-cut holes for the branches. Also, written instructions will guide first-timers through the easy assembly process.

The staff recommends that you bring a pair of gardening gloves with you to help in gathering up the fresh cuttings!


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Updated McCormick Ranch Maps Now Available

As in the past, the maps are printed with several overlays in different colors to clearly depict all the subdivisions on McCormick Ranch.

Maps are provided free of charge to Ranch residents and can be picked up at the Association office located at 9248 N. 94th Street in the McCormick Ranch Center.


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McCormick Ranch Women's’ Association

The McCormick Ranch Women’s Association held its first activity on April 4, 1978. It was a “Meet Your Neighbor” luncheon. Now, over twenty years later, the goals are essentially the same; to meet our new neighbors and adhere to the original statement of purpose: “The purpose shall be to foster community spirit, activities and projects to further the common interests of members.”

The McCormick Ranch Women’s Association is an Association for women on McCormick Ranch and invites all women to join them as a new member.

Their activities include bridge, book discussions, golf, water aerobics, etc. They have a luncheon/meeting on the third Thursday of each month which is held at various valley resorts, country clubs and restaurants. Each luncheon has a social hour preceding the luncheon and an interesting program following with speakers on art, politics, fashion shows and community affairs.

Please contact Barbara Paisant, Membership Chairman at (480) 991-3744, for more information.


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From our mailbag...

We received the following letter in our office after last quarter’s “The Rancher” featured a farewell tribute to Murray Wilson...

“I never met Murray Wilson. I only know him through McCormick Ranch POA. But I both liked and respected Murray by the way he presided over the POA, and for his obvious concern for the Ranch and the City of Scottsdale.

I sincerely hope those that follow him possess the personal qualities to keep the Ranch a quality place at a reasonable cost to the property owners.”


The following two emails were received from a very appreciative homeowner…

“Thank you for doing such a great job! We have lived on the Ranch since 1978 and still love it as much as when our house was new. The association does an outstanding job!”


And several days later…

“Thank you so much for the very prompt service and great communication. [The trimming] has been completed and makes walking much more enjoyable.

“The McCormick Ranch POA is the greatest!”


This final email was received from a concerned Ranch resident…

“I live on one of our beautiful green-belt paths and would ask our fellow resident dog owners to please remember the posted city rules about your pet being leashed and disposal of their waste. Most are very diligent but a growing number allow their dogs to run freely. I home office and am able to view some interesting episodes of near dog fights and the small children having a very large dog run at them unleashed. We all assume our pets would not harm another, but let’s not take that chance.”

The POA staff wholeheartedly agrees and would like to remind all pet owners that City of Scottsdale Ordinances prohibit dogs running at large and require that litter be picked up immediately by owners.


Letters, notes, comments, suggestions, etc. can be sent to the staff at 9248 N. 94th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85258, or emailed to karenbenson@mccormickranchpoa.com.


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Rules and Regs of McCormick Ranch



On September 25, 2002, the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association Board of Directors approved the following changes to the “Restrictions and Architectural Criteria”.


Air Conditioning/Evaporative Cooler Unit Enclosure Criteria


Enclosure Construction:

The enclosure should be constructed of exterior plywood or other comparable solid material at least 1/2 inch thick. Horizontal louvers or vertical non-see-through slats may be approved in lieu of a solid plywood structure.

Plastic 1/4 inch trellis (privacy) lattice may be used in lieu of the above material. Trellis may be white or painted to match the color of the building or roof, whichever present a more integrated architectural appearance.

The enclosure must be built to withstand local weather conditions.




Landscape Criteria (Front Yard)


Minimum Guidelines:
  • Front yard square footage (corner lots to include side yard square footage) to 1,500 square feet:

    2 - 15 gallon trees
    5 - 5 gallon shrubs
    3 - 1 gallon shrubs


  • Front yard square footage (corner lots to include side yard square footage) 1,500 - 2,500 square feet:

    2 - 15 gallon trees
    1 - 24 inch box tree
    8 - 5 gallon shrubs
    8 - 1 gallon shrubs



  • Front yards in excess of 2,500 square feet:

    All plant materials determined on an individual basis and generally proportioned to the above as approved by the Architectural Control Committee.

All new landscaping or relandscaping must be submitted to and approved by the Architectural Control Committee and, once approved, be completed within 120 days.



Palm Trees


Palm trees must be trimmed of dead palm branches and seed pods on an annual basis.



Playground Equipment Criteria


Maximum height not to exceed ten feet (10’).

Playground equipment, including playhouses, exceeding the height of a given solid property perimeter wall may not be placed within ten feet (10’) of such wall.

Colors to be submitted and approved by the Architectural Control Committee.



Satellite Television Antenna Dish


  • Direct Broadcast Satellite (“DBS”) antennas, Multi-point Distribution Service (“MDS”) antennas, Television Broadcast Signal (“TVBS”) antennas, antennas designed to receive and/or transmit data services, including Internet access, and masts less than 12 feet above the roof line, or devices that meet the 1996 FCC Rules and revisions thereof, which preempt deed restrictions, are hereby allowed.

    The McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association appreciates the discretion of homeowners in making these devices as unobtrusive as possible. Antennas, mast and any visible wiring must be painted to match the color of the structure to which they are installed, provided the painting does not interfere with acceptable quality signal and does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. Antennas may not be placed on POA maintained property.


    To see the entire set of our Rules and Regulations, check out our Rules and Regs page.


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    Camelback Walk Etiquette and Safety

    Residents of McCormick Ranch have the added benefit of utilizing Camelback Walk, a City of Scottsdale Multi-Use Path System, meandering through our community. This path is a multi-use recreational path designed for low speed recreational use by bicyclists, walkers, joggers and skaters.

    With the fall season and cooler weather approaching fast, a few basic tips will help to keep your use of the path safe for you and everyone else.

    When riding on the path, remember to watch for others — and watch your speed. Remember, pedestrians have the right of way.

    Stay to the right on the path, except to pass. When you approach someone from behind, call out “on your left” or something similar to forewarn that you’re about to pass. Give the person plenty of time to move to the far right by calling out early (from approximately 25 feet behind).

    If wearing a walkman, keep the volume at a level that enables you to hear someone approaching from behind.

    Skate or bike defensively. Look for changes in the surface or debris in the path well ahead of where you are skating or biking. If you see any sort of potential hazard, call the City at 312-5620 to report the problem.

    When approaching steep slopes, plan ahead. If you are uncertain whether or not you can navigate the hill safely, stop and walk down the hill. Never go around “blind corners” so fast you can’t stop. A pedestrian, bicyclist, skater or baby in a stroller could be waiting around the corner.

    If you’re skating or biking, wear safety protection — helmets are an essential to help ensure your safety. Skaters should also wear full pads and wrist guards.

    Remember that this is a City of Scottsdale multi-use recreational path and it is designed for low speed use. Be courteous to others. And above all, have fun!!


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    American Flag Display Guidelines

When displaying the American flag, it is important to remember certain guidelines of proper flag etiquette. They are:

  • When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally from a window sill, balcony, or building, the stars of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

  • When the flag is displayed either vertically or horizontally against a wall, the stars should be placed at the top of the flag's right and the observer's left.

  • When on display or carried in a procession with other flags, the flag should be positioned to its own right. Also, it should be placed to the right of a speaker or staging area, while other flags are placed to the left.
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