Loma Serena is a private community of homeowners in Pinal County, Arizona, founded in 1981. The story of how this neighborhood came into being is a unique one.
Wycliffe Bible Translators and the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) engage in literacy, linguistic research, and Bible translation in the world’s minority languages. SIL Mexico has been working in that country since the early 1930’s, documenting that nation’s 200+ indigenous languages and translating the Bible into many of them.
Around 1980, due to shifting political sentiments, the government of Mexico began removing foreign organizations from the country, including many members of SIL. SIL Mexico resettled temporarily in Catalina, Arizona, constructing offices where the Mexico work could be continued.
A group of Tucson businessmen helped arrange rental housing for SIL personnel as they arrived in Tucson. These men were given the opportunity to purchase 80 acres of ranch land in Pinal County from Lloyd Golder, Sr., a local rancher and real estate developer. A plan was developed to divide this land into 1.25 acre parcels to be sold to SIL families who were interested in building permanent homes.
A community plan was developed and an informal homeowners’ association was organized among those who purchased lots. Before house construction could begin, the Association rented earthmoving equipment, operated by volunteers and property owners, to clear roads and dig trenches for utilities.
Don Jensen and Charlie Lehardy served as liaisons to Pinal County officials, as well as to the gas, electric, and telephone companies, while local plumber Bob Seng made arrangements with the Golder family to develop a water system around a well drilled near the peak of Loma Serena Drive. The Association signed with the utility companies and paid up front for the network of pipes, cables, and transformers. Those initial costs were born by the original property owners and were later recovered as more homes connected to gas, electricity, and water.
To keep costs low, “sweat equity” was required of those early land owners to prepare dig utility trenches, maintain roads, install fencing, and assist in the construction of each others’ homes. That spirit of community service continues to be a Loma Serena value, allowing us to keep annual dues lower.
The community has seen some innovative construction methods, including two underground homes, two built with massive rammed-earth walls, and several incorporating passive solar heating systems.
Some of the original Loma Serena founding members still live here, but the community has welcomed many newcomers who have built on what was started here. The community is governed by the Loma Serena Community Board, which is elected by an annual meeting of all property owners, and operates according to a set of by-laws and policies, found elsewhere on this site.