By Rachel Selwan, CAI CA North Chapter Executive Director
This article first appeared in the CAI California North Chapter, The Voice Magazine, Fall 2025 Issue.
When it comes to long-term strategic planning and community stewardship, few associations exemplify proactive leadership like Sun City Lincoln Hills Community Association. Nestled in the heart of Lincoln, California, this 25-year-old, 6,783-home community continues to evolve while staying true to its roots of active living and neighborly connection.
Recently, CAI California North Chapter Executive Director Rachel Selwan, and Megan Hall of Adams Stirling PLC, Chair for the Communications Committee, sat down with Board President Tom Brutting and former Board Member Ken Silverman for an in-depth conversation on how the Board is planning for the community’s future amidst changing demo- graphics, limited space, and evolving member needs.
PLANNING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF RESIDENTS
“What new members want today isn’t the same as what brought people here 25 years ago,” Brutting explained. “A few years ago, everyone wanted pickleball courts. Now, we’re asking: what’s next? How do we plan for new trends when we have no additional space to build?”
Recognizing the challenge of limited land, the Board is implementing a proactive approach: a five-year strategic plan that includes a comprehensive Community Facility Assessment. This initiative will help evaluate current amenities, identify areas for modernization, and ensure reserve funding is aligned with the community’s long-term needs.
Brutting emphasized, “We have to look inward and decide what areas could be re- imagined to meet future demands. It’s not about expanding; it’s about being smarter with what we have.”
BUILDING COMMUNITY IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
While amenities like pickleball courts and walking trails are integral, Sun City Lincoln Hills’ greatest asset is its sense of community. The association boasts over 80 active clubs, an impressive lineup of events, from summer concerts to Trivia Nights, and a robust volunteer culture.
However, fostering community engagement isn’t without challenges. The Board is constantly working to combat home- owner apathy by introducing new communication strategies, such as casual “Office Hours” with board members, quarterly Town Halls, and leveraging clubs and committees as vital feedback channels.
Brutting noted, “People want to be heard but not everyone wants to attend a formal Board meeting. We’ve created comfortable spaces for those conversations, whether it’s over Zoom or at a Town Hall.”
ACING CHALLENGES HEAD-ON: ADVOCACY & COLLABORATION
Sun City Lincoln Hills is also deeply aware of how legislative changes impact HOA governance. Their Board was among the first to understand the severe implications of AB 130, which caps HOA fines, potentially crippling enforcement abilities. Recognizing the importance of advocacy, Sun City Lincoln Hills made a significant donation to CAI CNC’s Buck A Door campaign this year, helping the Chapter meet its fundraising goal; a typically unheard-of feat achieved this year solely through donations from homeowner associations.
“We see Buck A Door as an investment in protecting the future of our community,” Silverman shared. “It’s about making sure homeowner associations like ours have a voice at the state level.”
Sun City Lincoln Hills’ commitment to advocacy is matched by their collaborative spirit. During our conversation, the idea emerged of forming a California HOA Presidents Council; an initiative that could bring HOA leadership together across California for shared learning and coordinated advocacy. While still in the early discussion phase and not yet vetted with other chapters, the concept reflects a proactive approach to unifying voices and strengthening community leadership.
A COMMUNITY THAT CARES
Beyond governance and strategic planning, Sun City Lincoln Hills is a community that truly takes care of its own. Pro- grams like Neighbors InDeed, which lends medical equipment and offers handyman services, and their long-standing partner- ship with the Lincoln Hills Foundation, showcase a culture of giving back.
When asked what makes Sun City Lincoln Hills special, Silverman summed it up perfectly: “It feels like a cruise ship that doesn’t move. You’ve got the clubs, the food, the entertainment—but more importantly, you have neighbors who care.”