DCR2025 Strategic Plan
Since its inception, DC Ranch has been committed to maintaining its desirability, fostering a strong sense of community, and ensuring premium home values. Recognizing the need for structured, long-term planning, the community launched its first strategic initiative, DCR2020, in 2016. Now, with an eye toward the future, DC Ranch has undertaken a comprehensive refresh of that plan through the development of DCR2025.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, DCR2025 sought to test and refine the existing framework. The eight Standing Principles—core values guiding the community’s direction—remain the foundation, while the six Strategic Initiatives were re-evaluated to ensure continued relevance. The objective was clear: assess their validity, confirm alignment with residents’ needs, and refine priorities for the next three years.
Residents were asked to reflect on DC Ranch’s present and future, evaluate the Standing Principles and Strategic Initiatives, and identify key areas of focus. The resulting insights were compiled into a high-level summary presented to the Community Council and Ranch Association Boards. Both the Boards of Directors have made a strong and consistent commitment to the implementation of the strategic plan.
An overwhelming 73% of residents felt that the current six Strategic Initiatives provided a comprehensive framework for the future. As a result, the following Strategic Initiatives and the strategies that were refreshed. Each strategy includes 2-3 SMART targets designed to guide progress over the next three years.
With clear direction established, the next phase of DCR2025 involves mobilizing internal teams from both the Community Council and Ranch Association to bring the plan to life over the course of the next three years. As DC Ranch moves forward with DCR2025, the community remains committed to thoughtful growth, responsive governance, and a high quality of life. With a strategic vision in place and an engaged resident base, DC Ranch is well-positioned for a vibrant and sustainable future.
Contact Deputy Executive Director Jona Davis with questions.
Strategic Initiatives
DC Ranch’s focus areas for the next three years. The initiatives align with the community’s vision, values, and standing principles. Each Strategic Initiative is supported by strategies, tactics, and measures. Strategic Initiatives are listed in no particular order.
DC Ranch provides a wide range of physical amenities and extensive programming that appeals to a broad set of resident interests. This is an important attribute of DC Ranch that attracts, welcomes, and connects residents.
Amenity Rich Community
Strategy AR 1
Regularly evaluate and update amenities and programs/events to foster participation, sustainability and value and ensure alignment with resident interests.
AR 1.1
Establish a three-year plan for programming across all topic areas and ensuring all demographic groups are served, tying the plan to data from the community-wide survey to demonstrate alignment with resident input.
AR 1.2
Implement the charitable initiative Home Sweet Home Project in 2025 to raise $120,000 for Habitat for Humanity home build.
Strategy AR 2
Evaluate and pursue Facilities and Amenities Master Plan to establish an approach for updating amenities and enhancing physical assets.
AR 2.1
By end of Q3 2025, conduct an analysis of the Desert Camp Site Improvement, gathering input from stakeholders including residents, Board directors, and staff, to assess and report on the project. Identify needs, present recommendations to the board for addressing and complete by Q4 2025.
AR 2.2
Update the master plan, incorporating resident feedback, with prioritized projects with cost estimates, timeline, and resources needed, including plan for use of benefit fees; publish by August 1, 2026.
DC Ranch delivers a variety of health/fitness amenities and programs that support a wide range of health, wellness and active lifestyle interests. DC Ranch is viewed as a very active community with residents that value a high level of fitness and emphasis on maintaining their health and wellness.
Healthy Lifestyle
Strategy HL 1
Structure and align health, wellness and fitness programming to best serve community needs.
HL 1.1
Increase participation in DC Ranch health, wellness, and fitness programs by 10% through targeted outreach and the introduction of three new classes tailored to community preferences year over year.
HL 1.2
Implement two Blue Zones-inspired initiatives in 2026, with a goal of 50 participants each.
Strategy HL 2
Enhance and promote use of the path and trail system within the community and increase awareness of its connectivity with other public trail systems including the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
HL 2.1
Conduct workshops and guided trail events to increase awareness of the DC Ranch path and trail system, achieving a 5% increase in resident use as measured by event attendance year over year.
HL 2.2
Launch a survey to assess residents’ satisfaction with existing P&T programs and trails, aiming for a 75% satisfaction rate and collecting actionable feedback to shape future initiatives by Q3 2026.
DC Ranch is attractive to current homeowners and the next era of buyers. DC Ranch knows and understands who the target buyers of the future are and aligns the brand and current/future strategic initiatives to address their interests and needs.
Target Buyer
Strategy TB 1
Identify and pursue services, amenities, and programs that will both serve current residents and are highly attractive to future buyers.
TB 1.1
By 2026, provide a minimum of two annual, in person opportunities for resident feedback and idea generation through open-house style, small focus group, New Resident Welcome events, etc. to identify highly attractive services, amenities and programs.
TB 1.2
By 2026, create and launch an initiative (i.e. “impact reports”) highlighting the benefits, accomplishments and/or success stories of DC Ranch programs, events and services.
Strategy TB 2
Launch a clear and compelling education campaign with current and future homeowners that highlights what differentiates DC Ranch from other communities.
TB 2.1
By Q1 2026, develop and launch a campaign highlighting five key features that set DC Ranch apart from other communities, aiming for a 25% increase in website engagement and social media reach by Q3 2026.
Strategy TB 3
Foster strong collaboration and maintain a feedback loop with Scottsdale real estate agents.
TB 3.1
By Q1 2026, begin hosting one annual collaborative workshop or networking event with Scottsdale real estate agents, ensuring ongoing input to align with buyer trends.
DC Ranch infrastructure (roads, communications, utilities, structures, technology, etc.) is well planned and maintained at a high level. Investing in technology is a primary focus, not only to enhance community operations, but to also support resident needs. DC Ranch is committed to upholding a well-maintained infrastructure.
Infrastructure and Technology
Strategy IF 1
Ensure all DC Ranch technologies and systems are up-to-date, highly functioning, and effective in meeting the needs of the organizations and residents.
IF 1.1
Secure a third-party company to analyze access technology, wiring, and processes at all gates and gatehouses and develop a plan to innovate, upgrade, and fund improvements by Q2 2026.
IF 1.2
Complete, maintain, communicate, and implement a comprehensive 5-year technology plan by 2027 that uses innovation to increase efficiency, to include software for internal organizational effectiveness, network solutions, and external technologies for gatehouses, landscaping, and facility systems, etc.
Strategy IF 2
Ensure robust reserve and capital plans are developed, funded, updated, communicated and implemented so DC Ranch remains well-maintained and in excellent condition.
IF 2.1
By Q4 2025, set and follow a schedule for routine updates to Reserve Studies in accordance with CAI-recommended best practices, developing a plan for meeting reserve funding requirements, and ensure that necessary funding is maintained.
IF 2.2
Following the reserve study, launch educational outreach and communication to increase resident awareness of the reserve study findings and the reserve’s role in sustaining DC Ranch as a high-end master planned community.
IF 2.3
Develop a short- and long-range plan for road maintenance for incorporation into the reserve by Q2 2026.
IF 2.4
Evaluate the long-term approach to fire fuel mitigation, whether through Firewise or other measures, to ensure appropriate measures are in place by Q4 2025 in the event of wildfires, storms, and other disruptions.
The commercial areas represent important assets for DC Ranch and integrate residential community with lifestyle, entertainment, business and gathering venues. DC Ranch assists in developing the full potential for each of the commercial areas: Market Street, Canyon Village, DC Ranch Crossing and the Corporate Center at DC Ranch; helps to align them with the interests of current and future residents; and works to ensure a long term and successful partnership with them.
Commercial Properties
Strategy CP 1
Introduce and foster awareness of the commercial and corporate center businesses to residents and non-residents.
CP 1.1
Collaborate with the commercial property owners and local businesses to identify 3-5 tangible ways to raise awareness of DC Ranch businesses. Establish by Q3 2025; implement in 2026; evaluate effectiveness and adjust as appropriate on an annual basis.
CP 1.2
By Q4 2026, create a one day “academy” for local commercial property owners and business owners and representatives, to be conducted at least biannually to foster collaboration.
Strategy CP 2
Inform and engage commercial and corporate centers regarding community-wide standards.
CP 2.1
By 2027, create commercial standards consistent with governing documents; engage stakeholders in the process; use existing communication tools to share information about the standards to commercial property owners; develop a system for addressing compliance concerns.
CP 2.2
Re-institute site walks by Q4 2025 with the commercial property owners to discuss needed improvements, compliance, future projects, and other matters of mutual interest. Each property (Corporate Center, DC Ranch Crossing, Market Street, Canyon Village, Camden Apartments, Desert Parks Vista Apartments) would be visited once per year by DC Ranch representatives to include team members from compliance, community engagement, and modifications or covenant commission as appropriate.
DC Ranch is situated adjacent to the beautiful McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Residents today, and homebuyers in the future, see environmental sustainability as an important value and responsibility. DC Ranch identifies its community and brand with environmental sustainability–demands placed on the environment are met without reducing its capacity to allow all people to live well, now and in the future.
Environmentally Sustainable
Strategy ES 1
Encourage use of alternative energy sources and best practices throughout DC Ranch.
ES 1.1
By December 31, 2025, procure a third-party expert audit of energy use for all three DC Ranch entities. The audit will identify opportunities for solar energy use at community amenities and other alternative energy sources.
ES 1.2
Identify desirable and impactful options for residential and commercial alternative energy source options and communicate to the DC Ranch community by 2026.
Strategy ES 2
Implement and maintain water conservation practices and programs throughout the DC Ranch community.
ES 2.1
Reduce potable water consumption in DC Ranch year-over-year through education, policies, incentives, and partnership with City of Scottsdale (for water audits).
Strategy ES 3
Foster a strong partnership with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy to preserve the natural desert environment.
ES 3.1
By Q4 2025, formalize partnership and continued education platform with McDowell Sonoran Conservancy (MSC) including hosting regular, continued education events for residents and an ambassador program.
ES 3.2
By Q4 2027, evaluate and educate (MSC) the conversion of turf areas in residential, commercial, and common spaces within DC Ranch to desertscape.
Strategy ES 4
Gain awareness of and foster compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory requirements related to the environment to prevent violations and establish DC Ranch as a model community for environmental commitment.
ES 4.1
Identify local, state, and federal environmental regulations that apply to DC Ranch, evaluate compliance levels, and establish a program to increase compliance by Q4 2025.
