Planning and Zoning Commission

Jim Harris, Chairman Lake Havasu City Lucas Still, Vice-Chairman Police Facility Don Bergen 2360 McCulloch Blvd North Mychal Gorden Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86403 Doug Hardy www.lhcaz.gov Dan McGowan Chad Nelson Christy Cunningham, Alternate John Kendig, Alternate Allan Windholz, Alternate Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, February 17, 2016 9:00 AM 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Harris called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Harris lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Commission members Lucas Still and Mychal Gorden participated telephonically. Present: 9- Donald Bergen, Chad Nelson, Lucas Still, Mychal Gorden, Dan McGowan, Christy Cunningham, Doug Hardy, Jim Harris and John Kendig Absent: 1- Allen Windholz 4. MINUTES Approve Regular Meeting Minutes from January 6, 2016. Mr. Nelson made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. McGowan and carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Bergen, Nelson, Still, Gorden, McGowan, Hardy and Harris Absent: 3 - Cunningham, Windholz and Kendig 5. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 6. PUBLIC HEARING ID 16-0588 A Request to Rezone Tract 2226, Block 12, Lot 15, 2950 Kiowa Boulevard North, from C-1, Limited Commercial District to R-3, Limited Multi-Family Residential. Mr. Schmeling thanked the Chairman and presented a PowerPoint slideshow and narrative including the following key points: • Property address and description Lake Havasu City Page 1 Printed on 3/2/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 17, 2016 • Property was rezoned in 1998 from Multi-Family Residential to Commercial • Current zoning map and description • Zoning of surrounding properties • Future land use map designation • General Plan policies for neighborhood protection suggest this property can be appropriately rezoned back to Multi-Family Residential Chairman Harris asked if the applicant was present and would they like to make a presentation. Mr. Sam Woods addressed the Commission. He stated he believes that R-3 is a better use for the land than Commercial. Mr. Nelson asked Mr. Woods if he plans to develop it. Mr. Woods responded to Mr. Nelson's question and his summarized comments included the following key points: • Duplexes would be a better choice than putting a gas station there • Many of the neighbors did not know it was zoned Commercial and are happy about the potential rezone • Mr. Woods may possibly develop the site himself Chairman Harris opened the Public Hearing. Hearing none, he closed the Public Hearing. Mr. Schmeling stated that Staff finds that the proposed rezoning meets all the requirements set forth in 14.56.080(B). Based on the findings, the Development Review Committee recommends that land use action 16-0588 be forwarded to the City Council with a recommendation of approval. Mr. Nelson made a motion to approve Staff’s recommendation on item ID 16-0588, seconded by Mr. Bergen, and carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Bergen, Nelson, Still, Gorden, McGowan, Hardy and Harris Absent: 3 - Cunningham, Windholz and Kendig ID 16-0589 A Request to Amend Approved Planned Development No. 11-00200003 CRW/CR/PD (Channel Riverwalk/ Commercial Residential/ Planned Development); Adopting a New General Development Plan for an 8.52-Acre Parcel to Include: the Subdivision of 2.98 Acres, a 123 Unit Hotel (Phase I), the Addition of 50 Hotel Units (Phase II), the Elimination of One 75 Unit Condominium Tower, the Elimination of 3 Mixed Use Buildings Including 12 Residential Units, the Reduction of the Marina to No More Than 1 Acre, the Reduction of 57 Boat Slips; and the Modification of Three Approved Conditional Use Permits For Dredging, Lake Havasu City Page 2 Printed on 3/2/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 17, 2016 Docks For Boat Mooring, and A Marina. Mr. Schmeling thanked the Chairman and presented a PowerPoint slideshow and narrative including the following key points: • Property location and description • Identification of two buildings to be removed as part of Phase I of this project • Summary of Entitlements approved in 2011 (Ordinance 11-1057) • Approved General Development Plan • Proposed General Development Plan • Hotel site plan Mr. Schmeling stated he had received some phone calls in regard to height of this building, relative to the district and to the overall plan. The proposed hotel is only about 32.6 feet above the bench mark for the site. The district actually allows 60 feet. The hotel itself will be quite a bit lower than what is already approved for the site in the remaining two towers of Phase III. Chairman Harris asked if the applicant was present and would they like to make a presentation. Darin Sender with Sender Associates addressed the Commission. Ms. Sender presented a PowerPoint presentation and her summarized comments included the following key points: • We are here today representing VRE English Village, LLC • Mr. Schmeling’s presentation was very clear on how this amendment will fit together with the existing entitlements • Ms. Sender introduced Bill Snyders and Bill Spresser, owners of VRE English Village; Jennifer Boblick, Sender Associates; and Charis Atwood, Tynan Group • Existing location details and site plan • Proposed hotel amenities including a fitness center, conference center, barbeque area, etc. • Primary feature is accessibility to the boardwalk and to the channel • Public access to the restaurant from the boardwalk • This project will create a tourist and public friendly atmosphere • Proposed site plan • Proposed landscape plan • Elevation details and the proposed lower height building Ms. Sender concluded her presentation and invited Mr. Bill Snyders to address the Commission. Mr. Snyders addressed the Commission and stated he is the Chief Operating Officer for Virtual Realty Enterprises. He introduced Mr. Bill Spresser, the Director of Hotel Operations. Mr. Snyders provided the following summarized comments: • VRE is headquartered in St. Louis and has been in business for approximately 20 years • VRE managed approximately $700 million dollars in assets in that 20 years • VRE is a lender and developer on a national basis Lake Havasu City Page 3 Printed on 3/2/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 17, 2016 • VRE currently owns and operates two hotels in Arizona, both are located in Tempe; one is a Red Lion and one is a Hampton Inn & Suites • The Hampton Inn & Suites was similar to this project; new development and new construction • VRE also has a residential development in town, North Pointe • VRE has been involved in Lake Havasu City for about 15 years as both a lender and owner of property • Provided details on the history of the attempted sale of the English Village last year and why they decided to develop it themselves • VRE conducted a feasibility study and the findings were that there is substantial demand for a hotel in this market place Mr. McGowan had three questions for the applicant as follows: • Will the Visitor Center remain in the same building • Is there a time table for beginning Phase II • Will the marina boat slips be for the general public or for hotel guests Mr. Snyders and Mr. Spresser responded to Mr. McGowan's questions. Their summarized comments included the following key points: • The current plan is to focus on the hotel project • At this point in time, the existing English Village businesses, fountain, and Visitor Center will remain as they are today • Long term objective will be to redevelop those portions of the English Village • Two buildings will be demolished to begin Phase I, the old theatre building and the building directly in front of that • VRE’s objective is to complete the hotel and have it on line in the summer of 2017 • It is Mr. Snyder's opinion that VRE’s next initiate will be the redevelopment of the existing English Village • Sixteen boat slips in front of the hotel will be transient slips for hotel guests or the public • The remaining boat slips are part of the original entitlements; not part of this specific project Mr. Nelson had several concerns/questions for the applicants: • Requested details regarding access to the channel for the Phase I site • Will hotel parking be open to the public • What are the anticipated impacts on parking if Phase II is constructed • Is the hotel a brand name and if so, can you disclose the name or type of class • Is the color scheme in the presentation the color scheme that will be used • What is the plan to enhance the Riverwalk Mr. Spresser and Mr. Snyders responded to Mr. Nelson’s concerns/questions. Their summarized comments included the following key points: • The remainder of the English Village property will stay the way it is, with plenty of parking and Lake Havasu City Page 4 Printed on 3/2/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 17, 2016 public access • ADA public access will come through the hotel and use the elevators to the lower lobby for access to the channel area • The area between the old entitlements and the new entitlements has a driveway and a walkway, which will be enhanced and redone for improved public access • Hotel parking will not be gated and will be available to the public when not in use • Available parking currently exceeds the required amount needed for the hotel • Existing additional parking currently on site will remain at this time • In the event of Phase II development, parking would be expanded across the driveway onto VRE's other property • The hotel is a brand name but they are not at liberty to disclose the name yet; it is similar to a Marriott or a Hilton • Color scheme is as follows: First two levels will be stone that will match the bridge The balance of the colors in the presentation are not final, but reflect what we think would be appropriate Interior design will tie-in with the theme of the area, including the bridge and the lake • As of last week, a landscape architect has been engaged for the Riverwalk area. Once that process is complete, we will share that information and request feedback from the City • The Riverwalk boardwalk in front of the entire hotel will be enhanced to 40 feet in width Chairman Harris opened the Public Hearing. Ms. Christie Cunningham addressed the Commission. Her summarized comments included the following key points: • Concern regarding traffic impact once the hotel is completed • How will the parking lot accommodate the larger vehicles, such as delivery trucks • She is a witness to congestion in this area regarding trucks or RV’s towing vehicles behind them Mr. Bill Spresser responded and his summarized comments included the following key points: • For demolition and construction, we closed the wider of the two driveways but when construction is completed, it will be put back in service • There is currently a delivery service island that will be enlarged • Parking access will remain off Hwy 95 for larger vehicles • We are required to provide a specific number of larger parking spaces Ms. Carlina Morley addressed the Commission and her summarized comments included the following key points: • In her opinion, Lake Havasu City is trying to decide if it wants to be a cultural site or a jet ski emporium Lake Havasu City Page 5 Printed on 3/2/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 17, 2016 • I am disappointed in how the City represents the London Bridge • I am wondering if the City could do something with the theatre to promote culture • We could build a theatre and bring British actors here which would bring in a lot of money • I understand hotels are a good investment but I am not sure I would want to buy a condo next to a failing cultural site • Coming down to the English Village area is depressing and it looks dilapitated • If you put a theatre there it is more of a draw, more to do Mr. Jan Kassies, employee of the Visitor Center, addressed the Commission. His summarized comments included the following key points: • I began as a volunteer in 2003 and at the end of that year the Visitor Center was in a small building • Things went very bad, the trees died, the grass died, and we all were complaining about it • It got worse, because the company that owned it charged for parking • In 2011, after a few plans and talking, VRE bought it and that was a positive change • VRE put money in it to make it look better, there are trees again, and benches • The Visitor Center moved from the little building into the big building • I am very happy VRE is doing what they are doing right now • Building this hotel could be a big improvement • We are a tourism town and we are happy there are more rooms and more money coming in and more jobs Chairman Harris closed the Public Hearing and invited the applicant back to the podium for rebuttal or comments. Ms. Sender thanked the Chairman and stated we wanted to thank you for taking the time today and we would really appreciate your positive vote today on our application. Thank you very much. Mr. Schmeling recapped the proposed entitlements as follows: • 2-Eight story residential condos (140 total units) • 3-Three story buildings (12 residential units) • Pedestrian plaza minimum width 40 feet • Pedestrian access easements/view corridors • 3 ZUPS: 1.00 acre marina Dredging activities 85 boat slips for mooring Mr. Schmeling stated Staff finds that the proposed rezoning meets all the requirements set forth in 14.56.080(B). Based on the findings, the Development Review Committee recommends that land use action 16-0589 be forwarded to the City Council with a recommendation of approval of the Lake Havasu City Page 6 Printed on 3/2/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 17, 2016 proposed General Development Plan including a 123 unit hotel and a 50 unit hotel room expansion; a preliminary subdivision plat; amending the existing plan with the elimination of one 75-unit condominium tower, the elimination of three commercial buildings; modifications of the conditional use permits reducing the marina from 1.66 to 1.00 acre; and reducing the number of boat slips from 142 to 85. Mr. Bergen asked Mr. Schmeling if he had received any comments from the Fire Department. Mr. Schmeling responded that we have no new comments from the Fire Department at this time. We have the original comments back from 2011, which I am sure would stay the same. We still have the second leg of this tour, which is the Design Review, which will be coming before you in March. At that time I would anticipate comments from the other departments and we are talking specifically at that point about Phase I. Mr. Gorden made a motion to approve item 16-0589 based on staff’s recommendations, seconded by Mr. McGowan, and carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Bergen, Nelson, Still, Gorden, McGowan, Hardy and Harris Absent: 3 - Cunningham, Windholz and Kendig 7. CALL TO PUBLIC None. 8. FUTURE MEETING Wednesday, March 2, 2016, 9:00 a.m. - Regular Meeting Mr. Schmeling stated he anticipates bring the Design Review to the Commission at this meeting. 9. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Harris adjourned the meeting at 10:05 a.m. _________________________________________ Jim Harris, Chairman _________________________________________ Diane Libby, Recording Secretary Lake Havasu City Page 7 Printed on 3/2/2016