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, March 2, 2016 9:00 AM 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Harris called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Harris lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Present: 10 - Donald Bergen, Chad Nelson, Lucas Still, Mychal Gorden, Dan McGowan, Christy Cunningham, Doug Hardy, Allen Windholz, Jim Harris and John Kendig 4. MINUTES Approve Regular Meeting Minutes from February 17, 2016. Mr. Nelson made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting, 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 Mr. Schmeling announced that at the February 23, 2016, City Council meeting, the Council adopted the Development Code in its entirety and the associated Zoning Map. The documents will be in effect as of March 24, 2016, which is 30 days after the adoption. 6. PUBLIC HEARING ID 16-0612 A Request to Rezone Tract 2316, Block 3, Lot 4, 2811 Edgewood Drive, from RE, Residential Estates District to R-1, Limited Single-Family Residential. Mr. Schmeling thanked the Chairman and presented a PowerPoint slideshow and narrative including some of the following key points: • Property address and description • Current zoning map and description Lake Havasu City Page 1 Printed on 3/16/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final March 2, 2016 • Zoning of surrounding properties • Subject property was part of a mass rezone from the mid-80’s, from R-1 to RE • Side yard set-back for an RE lot is 10 feet and 5 feet for an R-1 lot • The building height allowed for an RE lot is 30 feet and 15 feet for an R-1 lot • The applicant is interested in building a single-family home Chairman Harris asked Mr. Schmeling what the width is of the existing lot. Typically along Edgewood and other RE zoning districts the lots are typically narrower than the average 80 foot X 125 foot lot. Hasn’t it been customary for us to grant some leeway on those side setbacks from 10 feet down to 5 feet? Mr. Schmeling responded that yes, there is a provision in the Code that we made several years ago, not only for this street but one other where the lots were particularly narrow and there is one other location where the depth is shallow because of the golf course so there is also a provision that allows a shorter setback front to back as well. So you are correct. Chairman Harris asked if that was taken into consideration for this particular property. Mr. Schmeling responded no, because this lot does not meet that criteria. Mr. Nelson commented that in the applicant’s letter they indicated the lot is 85 feet wide. Chairman Harris asked if the applicant was present and would they like to make a presentation. The applicant declined, stating Mr. Schmeling was very thorough in describing the request. 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 ID 16-0612 be forwarded to the City Council with a recommendation of approval, for Tract 2316, Block 3, Lot 4 to be rezoned from RE to R-1, Single-Family Residential District. Mr. Still made a motion to approve the request for rezone of Tract 2316, Block 3, Lot 4, 2811 Edgewood Drive from RE, Residential Estates, to R-1, Single-Family Residential, seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Bergen, Nelson, Still, Gorden, McGowan, Hardy and Harris Absent: 3 - Cunningham, Windholz and Kendig ID 16-0611 A Request for Design Review of a 2.98-Acre Parcel to Include: a 123 Unit Hotel (Phase I), Possible Addition of 50 Hotel Units (Phase II), and Boat Lake Havasu City Page 2 Printed on 3/16/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final March 2, 2016 Slips. Mr. Schmeling thanked the Chairman and stated that he planned to go through each step in the design review process and articulate each piece of it, as it relates to the current Development Code. Mr. Schmeling’s summarized comments and PowerPoint presentation included the following key points: • On February 17, 2016, a Major Amendment to Planned Development 11-00200003 was recommended by the Commission to be forwarded to City Council • March 8, 2016, City Council will review the proposed amendment • Section 14.44.070(I)(b)(3) requires design review to be approved by City Council upon recommendation by the Planning Commission • Design Review is before you today in an attempt to expedite the project • Brief recap of the proposed general development plan • Current zoning of the property is CR and CRW; hotel is a permitted use • All accessory uses are permitted outright within the district • No direct access to the Riverwalk from individual hotel rooms • Proposed hotel meets all building height and structure step back requirements • Ingress/egress will not change; there are two existing driveways • ADOT will require applicant to submit a Traffic Impact Analysis (SR95 & Mesquite) • Proposed hotel meets all design/architecture requirements • Landscaping proposal exceeds the minimum required (10%) at 17.78% • Proposed parking for Phase I does not meet the current code requirements; Phase I proposed parking does meet the adopted 2016 Development Code requirements, effective March 24, 2016 • Potential impacts to Phase I parking when a submittal for Phase II is received • General comments received from outside agencies/internal departments Chairman Harris asked Mr. Schmeling why access is restricted from the bottom level hotel units to the Riverwalk area. Mr. Schmeling’s summarized response is as follows: • A sub-committee assisted in drafting the ordinance for the channel Riverwalk district • The City’s philosophy has been to obtain a 40 foot minimum access easement; making and creating a public space along the Riverwalk • Typical hotel situations include a private outdoor area (patio or balcony) with a table and chairs • Concern was expressed that if we allow hotel rooms direct access to the Riverwalk, ultimately they would encroach and try to make part of that a private area for that individual hotel room • The current ordinance allows direct access to the Riverwalk from the commercial portion; a restaurant or ancillary use • The ordinance does not allow direct access from individual hotel rooms Chairman Harris asked if the applicant was present and would they like to make a presentation. Lake Havasu City Page 3 Printed on 3/16/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final March 2, 2016 Darin Sender with Sender Associates addressed the Commission. Ms. Sender thanked the Commission and stated she is representing VRE English Village. We are very excited to show you and provide details about our design of the project. We have our architect here today from PK Architects, Mr. Jeff Pawlowski, and he will run through some of the exhibits. We have a few more updated drawings from what Stuart just showed you. We just received them yesterday. I will ask Jeff to talk to you about those. Mr. Jeff Pawlowski with PK Architects addressed the Commission. Mr. Pawlowski passed around a materials board, containing samples of the colors to be used in the project. Mr. Pawlowski’s summarized comments included the following key points: • Summary of how the custom Homewood Suites site plan was designed • Description of several key features that provide a mini-resort feel • Pool area includes gas fire pits, bar-b-q area, putting green, and a pickleball court • Location of the bar and patio seating • Lower level patio runs the length of the hotel with a restaurant and convenience market • Access to the Riverwalk from the hotel, restaurant, and convenience market • Elevator to be used for ADA access to the Riverwalk • Landscaping layout • Room designs Ms. Sender thanked the Commission for their time. She complimented Mr. Schmeling on his presentation and stated they would truly appreciate the Commission’s recommendation for approval. Chairman Harris opened the Public Hearing. Hearing none, he closed the Public Hearing. Mr. Schmeling stated that based on the findings the Development Review Committee recommends that land use action 16-0611 be forwarded to the City Council with a recommendation of approval with the following conditions: 1. A parking agreement be drafted and approved by the City to provide parking on adjacent property to accommodate Phase II prior to the issuance of any building permits for Phase II 2. An application for abandonment shall be submitted for that portion of the 20 foot Public Utility and Drainage Easement along the northwest property line where the proposed hotel encroaches prior to the issuance of a building permit for Phase I 3. Fire sprinklers and fire alarms shall be required 4. The developer submit a Traffic Impact Analysis to AZDOT to review the impact to SR95 & Mesquite Avenue intersection Chairman Harris asked if the applicant understands the conditions. Lake Havasu City Page 4 Printed on 3/16/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final March 2, 2016 Ms. Sender responded yes and that they will work with Staff to meet all the conditions. Mr. Still asked Mr. Schmeling, regarding the parking agreement that we are requiring, are we going to specify in there that if you are going to take away so many spaces when you build Phase II and those parking requirements are going to be calculated based on the new Code. Is the agreement going to specify that it has to have this many parking spaces with this many being RV type spaces? Mr. Schmeling responded that when we get to that point of Phase II, we will know more particularly how many spaces are going away as a result of Phase II coming in and how many spaces will be required at that time. So yes, that agreement should cover all of that. Mr. McGowan asked several questions regarding a specific time table for the start of Phase II following the completion of Phase I. Mr. Bill Snyders, VRE English Village, responded that there is not a defined plan at this time with regards to what will occur to Phase II. Once the hotel is completed we would like to move forward as quickly as possible for development to occur on Phase II. Mr. Snyders and Mr. McGowan continued discussion regarding possible development scenarios regarding Phase II. Mr. Nelson asked Mr. Snyders if their intent was to move forward on the structure or get all the entitlements and have interested parties buying it and doing the development. Mr. Snyders responded that the hotel portion is specifically our group and our company to do that development. I think I mentioned two weeks ago, we have opened a Hampton Inn & Suites and we did the development of that, we were in control of all the construction. It is our intent to not only go through the entitlement process but it is our intent to go ahead and develop the property. Mr. Nelson asked if it will be a Hilton. Mr. Snyders responded it will be a Homewood Suites by Hilton. Mr. Bergen asked for clarification regarding the commercial activity on the level by the Riverwalk. Mr. Snyders responded the plan is do an approximately 5,000 sq. ft. restaurant and a 1,000 sq. ft. convenience store. Mr. Bergen asked Mr. Snyders if the dock area would restrict boats from using the eastern part of the bridge to go under. It looks like it will be in the way of it. Lake Havasu City Page 5 Printed on 3/16/2016 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final March 2, 2016 Mr. Snyders responded that we have worked with the City to determine what is the level of convenience marina slips that we can put in front of our property in order not to be in a position to impede that traffic on the eastern side. Mr. Nelson and Mr. Gorden had a brief discussion regarding the landscape plan. Mr. Nelson had concerns regarding the number of benches along the Riverwalk. Mr. Gorden’s comments were all supportive of the landscape plan as it is, and thanked the applicant for their hard work on it. Mr. Bill Spresser, VRE English Village, added that the wall that runs behind the grassy area is 16” high which is a good seating height for looking out at the river or waiting for the casino boat. Mr. Gorden, Mr. Spresser, and Mr. Nelson continued a brief conversation regarding the landscape relative to seating area. Mr. Gorden made a motion to approve item ID 16-0611 based on Staff’s recommendations as outlined on the screen, seconded by Mr. McGowan. Chairman Harris clarified the motion is for approval of a request for Design Review of a 2.98-acre parcel to include a 123 unit hotel with Staff’s recommendations. Chairman Harris called for a vote on the motion, and it 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 Chairman Harris opened Call to the Public. Hearing none, he closed the Call to the Public. 8. FUTURE MEETING Mr. Schmeling commented there are no items for the March 16 agenda. Additionally both meetings in April will be canceled, due to the fact that the room is unavailable. We attempted to schedule the room for an off Wednesday and it is not available then either. The next time we will see you is May 4th. 9. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Harris adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m. _________________________________________ Jim Harris, Chairman _________________________________________ Diane Libby, Recording Secretary Lake Havasu City Page 6 Printed on 3/16/2016