About PORA
History of PORA
Since its inception in 1979, PORA, a quasi-municipality, has helped residents save money on taxes, developed and defended deed restrictions in court, helped protect water rights for every property owner and successfully reduced water and sewer rates. To assure continuity of lifestyle, PORA led a drive in 1983 to obtain Senior Overlay Zoning for the community, expanding its benefits, circulating petitions and lobbying county officials. The county approved the zoning in 1984.
PORA's goal is to keep Sun City West a great place to live. To achieve that goal, PORA has worked with the County Board of Supervisors to prohibit or modify development of several subdivisions within or near Sun City West. It has also worked with the county and state to lower property assessments for Sun City West residents.
PORA has been instrumental in the formation of several organizations that now operate independently: Sun City West Foundation, Helping Hands, PRIDES. Today, it remains committed to making Sun City West a preferred place to live and continues to work together with area agencies to bring a solid voice of advocacy to the community.
Please download the comprehensive history brochure here.
Milestones
Tax Reduction
PORA was successful in seceding from Dysart School District, resulting in no school tax in the original area and reducing tax by $475 per $100,000 home value.
BINGO
Started Bingo games for the community, which provides $12,000 annually to charitable organizations.
Prevented Rec Dues Increase
Prevented the Recreation dues increase proposed by Del Webb Corporation.
Stopped Used Car Lot
Stopped a proposed "used car lot" in the Sundome Plaza area.
Sun City West on Map
Successfully worked with the State Department of Transportation to include Sun City West on the State Map.
Age Overlay
Convinced supervisors to approve Age Overlay for Sun City West.
Time Share Units
Stopped Del Webb from advancing "Time Share Units." Pressed Del Webb to repurchase forty-eight units.
RV & Trailer Parking Lot
Prevented a 4,000-unit RV and trailer parking lot to preserve home appearances in Sun City West.
Post Office
Presented 11,000 signatures to officials in Washington, DC to prompt installation of a post office in Sun City West.
3.6 Acres of Land
Convinced DEVCO to donate 3.6 acres of land to PORA for the Foundation building and the first permanent quarters for Posse.
Visitors Center
Added a Visitors Center to the PORA building; 12,000 annual visitors help promote Sun City West.
Deer Valley Road to Loop 303
Stopped the Deer Valley Road west connection to the proposed Loop 303.
Time Shares
Stopped a Scottsdale firm from acquiring Crestview for a 60-room hotel and 58 time shares.
El Mirage Road
Worked on the El Mirage Road revision, pushing it 600 feet east versus widening the current lane.
SCW Coalition
Partnered with the Sun City West Coalition in stopping a Continental Homes plan for high-density, low-income housing in the area now called Corte Bella. The Coalition gathered 12,000 petition signatures while PORA worked with Supervisor Brewer on density level, which Continental Homes rejected.
Opposed Chemical Plant
Successfully opposed construction of a chemical plant southwest of Sun City West for fear of fumes.
Walgreens Relocation
Joined the chorus against a Walgreens Drug Store relocation at 151st & Deer Valley.
Construction Renegotiation
Convinced Del Webb to renegotiate construction at Corte Bella.
Central Arizona Project
Won a court initiative to use CAP (Central Arizona Project) water on golf courses, preventing subsidence.
Utility Rates
Fought utility rate increases and beat consolidated rates. Members testified before the legislature.
Lobbied Legislature
Lobbied the legislature to stop parking infringement for six consecutive years and other bills unhealthy for Sun City West.
Phase 1 Construction
Construction of Phase 1 of an $850,000 noise wall, north of the expansion area.
New Routing
Stopped the Deer Valley east connection to Peoria, with new diagonal routing from Peoria to Williams Road east of Corte Bella.
Highway Signage
Proposed highway signage for Sun City West at the intersection of El Mirage and Bell.
Board Member Selection
Promoted the selection of Board member Merlyn Carlson to the Maricopa County Transportation Advisory Board.
Pedestrian Light Crossings
Lobbied successfully for three new pedestrian light crossings and one new traffic light; two installations were by the hospital entrance.
Solar
Won the solar battle on a 3/2 vote that preserves the invested value of a solar user, whether or not they sell their home, while modestly adjusting infrastructure costs on new solar installations.
Farmers Market
PORA began the Farmers Market, at the Executive Director's request, on PORA premises for a unique shopping opportunity, especially for fresh fruits and vegetables as well as novelties.
Noise Wall
Proposal for 100% completion of the noise wall.
53-Acre Development
Protected residents from undesirable development of 53 acres northwest of Sun City West by arranging numerous meetings with the Recreation Centers Governing Board Officers, County Supervisor Hickman, and county officials.
Posse Insurance Coverage
Contacted and supported Supervisor Hickman's effort to overcome a glitch in Posse insurance coverage that had shut down patrol operations and activation of the 175-person Posse, the largest Posse in the Sheriff's operation.
Government Relations
Developed strong relationships with state, local, and federal governments.
Utility Rate Cases
Intervened and advocated in three utility rate cases. Continued to build relationships with APS and EPCOR (ACC).
Posse and MCSO
Supported Sun City West Posse in their efforts to maintain its status with MCSO.
Elections
Hosted forums to help educate voters in school district elections and actively participated in the Valley Metro Transit Committee.
Continued Advocacy
Actively corresponded with Corte Bella on a proposed waste transfer station, maintained a close relationship with legislative leaders on proposed legislation affecting SCW, and worked closely with County Supervisor Hickman on county matters.
SCW Utility Rates
Intervened on behalf of SCW in four utility rate cases before the ACC, one resulting in a rate decrease.
SR 303
Presented a resolution to the Surprise City Council expressing opposition to a proposal for three electronic billboards on SR 303 adjacent to SCW.
Water Consolidation ACC
Successfully associated with Sun City and Paradise Valley to persuade the ACC not to consolidate water districts.
del Sol Gallery Grand Opening
The gallery features artisans who are all residents of Sun City West, from award-winning watercolors and oils to metal wall hangings, jewelry, and functional clay dinnerware.
RUCO and the ACC
Coordinates with the Arizona Residential Utilities Consumers Office (RUCO), which represents the interests of residential utility rate payers, in rate-related proceedings before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).