By Roger Ball

Independent Newsmedia

The Recreation Centers of Sun City West haven’t wanted to be in the home building business but may soon find themselves there.

The RCSCW has owned two vacant lots since 2007. The addresses are 15451 W. Via Montoya and 21208 N Sonora Lane. Though they have different streets in their addresses, they are adjacent in a corner lot where Via Montoya and Sonora Lane intersect.

According to Katy O’Grady, RCSCW general services officer, they received the two lots from the Del Webb Corporation in 2007 to ensure they would be developed as homes, and not as access to undeveloped lands behind them or the Loop 303.

“When we took over the lots, the housing market was at a low, so there was no interest in doing anything at that time,” Ms. O’Grady said. “Now that the market is strong, we may take a closer look at bidding a developer.”

The rec centers officials covered the lots with rocks to control dust and planted a few Saguaros but have kept maintenance to a minimum.

Not everyone wants new houses on the lots. Sonya Bart has lived next door for four years.

“I would rather leave it as is, and would offer to buy the lot if necessary,” she said.

The Maricopa County Assessor website lists the Sonora Lane property as 6,740 square feet, and the Via Montoya lot with 6,040 square feet.