Lincoln Prairie residents urge pause to Phase 4 over gates, landscaping and HOA transparency

Dozens of Lincoln Prairie homeowners told the Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee that they are asking the city to pause approval of Phase 4 of the Del Webb subdivision until developer Pulte Homes resolves recurring problems with landscaping, gate activation and homeowners-association transparency.

"My name is Susie Smith. I speak on behalf of more than the 160 residents aiming to safeguard our quality of life," said Susie Smith, who told the committee Pulte has refused to install no-trespassing signs and postponed activation of entry gates even though the Route 30 access road is complete. "No further delays are warranted in the activation of entry gates and posting of no trespassing signs at our community entrances," she said.

Other residents gave specific examples. Paula Halberg said city-approved landscaping and retention-pond plans have not been followed and that an independent arborist found trees missing or planted improperly; she urged a pause to give Pulte time to produce enforceable plans and timelines. Barbie Sawyer said the clubhouse and amenities are already strained at roughly 300 closed homes and warned that at the advertised 550 units the facilities will not meet demand. Mark Shanley highlighted long-term maintenance liability for an 8-foot cedar fence Pulte installed and argued the developer did not budget for required ongoing treatment. Rick Nadler asked for HOA books and records, saying "our HOA money now totaling over $1,000,000 annually" should be available for resident review before additional approvals.

Pulte representatives told the committee they intend to work with residents and that many of the matters cited are addressed through development guarantees, recorded HOA declarations and standard multi-year maintenance processes. Russ Whitaker, representing the project team, said landscaping has surety with the city and ponds are under a three-year monitoring plan; he described a process of inspections, punch lists and replacements. Matt Brawley, a Pulte sales representative, said the company has represented Lincoln Prairie as a gated community but explained gate activation is delayed while construction and sales continue because active gates can hinder sales-center access and that final gate implementation (manned vs. electronic) will be decided by the HOA and its budget.

Residents said they want enforceable commitments, access to HOA records and direct meetings with Pulte and city staff before the committee advances Phase 4. Committee members acknowledged the residents' concerns and repeatedly asked Pulte to meet with buyers and staff to outline concrete remedies and timelines. The committee did not take final action on the Phase 4 plans during the public-comment portion; the committee later voted to hold those items for two weeks so Pulte and residents can meet and the committee can review progress.