Planning and Zoning Commission

David Diaz, Chairman Lake Havasu City Gabriele Medley, Vice Municipal Courthouse Chairman Council Chambers Suzannah Ballard 92 Acoma Boulevard Joan Dzuro Lake Havasu City, Arizona Jim Harris 86403 Paul Lehr www.lhcaz.gov Tiffany Wilson Matthew Mitchell, Alternate Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting Lonnie Stevenson, Alternate JP Thornton, Alternate Minutes - Final Wednesday, May 1, 2024 9:00 AM 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Diaz called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Diaz led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Present: 6- Suzannah Ballard, Joan Dzuro, Paul Lehr, JP Thornton, Gabriele Medley and David Diaz Absent: 4- Matthew Mitchell, Tiffany Wilson, Lonnie Stevenson and Jim Harris Chairman Diaz asked Commissioner Thornton to take a seat at the dais. 4. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Planning Division Manager Chris Gilbert provided an update on recent City Council actions, noting they approved the rezone request for 7000 Chenoweth Drive. 5. MINUTES ID 24-4245 Approval of the Minutes of the April 17, 2024, Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting (Shelby Hennigan) Commissioner Lehr moved to approve of the Minutes of the April 17, 2024, Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting, seconded by Commissioner Dzuro. The motion passed with the following vote: Aye: 6 - Ballard, Dzuro, Lehr, Thornton, Medley and Diaz 6. PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Diaz provided a brief overview of the Public Hearing process. ID 24-4240 Adopt Resolution No. 24-06, Approving a Major Conditional Use Permit Lake Havasu City Page 1 Printed on 5/15/2024 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final May 1, 2024 for 1970 Bahama Avenue, Tract 115, Block 5, Portion of Lot 14, to Allow a 16-person Residential Care Facility in the Residential Multi-Family (R-M) District (Trevor Kearns) City Planner Trevor Kearns reviewed the Staff Report, [displayed PowerPoint] noting the following: • The subject property is located on Bahama Avenue, between Industrial Boulevard and Pirate Lane. • The adjacent properties are zoned Residential Multi-Family (R-M) District. The property across Bahama Avenue is zoned Light Industrial (LI) District. • The site is currently developed with a 6-bed residential care facility, which was approved in 2006. Mr. Kearns explained the applicant is proposing the conversion of two existing rooms into bedrooms, for a total of eight bedrooms, and will place two beds in each room instead of one. This will create a 16-person residential care facility. The R-M District allows residential care facilities with an approved Conditional Use Permit (CUP.) The application does not change the operational nature of the existing use on the property, but the increase in the number of patients housed is the sole change requiring the applicant to go through the CUP process. Mr. Kearns stated the request went through the review process and the only agency to comment was the City Building Department. A building permit is required to convert and change the occupancy of the two rooms into bedrooms. Chairman Diaz asked if this property was previously used for inpatient hospice care. Mr. Kearns responded affirmatively. Commissioner Dzuro asked if they are expecting patients to be mobile and will the kitchen, dining room, and other common areas remain. Sandra Huizenga, applicant, confirmed the patients will be generally mobile and will have access to common spaces. Noting the kitchen size, Commissioner Thornton asked how large the kitchen is and if it provides enough space. Ms. Huizenga explained the kitchen is similar to a large residential kitchen, with additional space for dining. They have met with Mohave County to ensure the kitchen meets the use requirements, which includes space for food prep and installation of three comp sink. Mohave County will complete a final kitchen inspection prior to opening. There may be occasions they need to offer multiple dining times to accommodate residents’ needs, but Lake Havasu City Page 2 Printed on 5/15/2024 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final May 1, 2024 they have enough kitchen space to meal prep for 16 residents. Chairman Diaz opened the Public Hearing. David Tobar, resident, asked if the building will be expanded. Ms. Huizenga advised there is no plan for expansion. Mr. Tobar asked what kind of traffic is expected and if there will be ambulances. Ms. Huizenga explained daily traffic will consist of facility staff and family members of residents. Ambulances may respond for medical emergencies, but it is her understanding that when entering a residential tract they will silence the sirens, leaving the lights on. Seeing no additional comments, Chairman Diaz closed the Public Hearing. Mr. Kearns stated that based on the findings, the Development Review Committee recommends adoption of Resolution No. 24-06, approving a Major Conditional Use Permit for Tract 115, Block 5, Portion of Lot 14 to allow a 16-person Residential Care Facility in the Residential Multi-Family (RM) District, with the following conditions: 1. A building permit is required to convert two rooms into bedrooms, for a total of eight bedrooms, and change of occupancy. 2. Shall comply with all state licensing and certification requirements. Chairman Diaz asked the applicant if they understand and agree to the conditions. Ms. Huizenga responded affirmatively. Vice Chair Medley asked if there is adequate parking. Mr. Kearns explained the building went through the Design Review process when it was constructed and has adequate parking for the type of use. The parking lot offers 18 spaces for employees and guests. Commissioner Dzuro moved to adopt Resolution No. 24-06, approving a Major Conditional Use Permit for Tract 115, Block 5, Portion of Lot 14 to allow a 16-person Residential Care Facility in the Residential Multi-Family (R-M) District with the conditions contained in the resolution. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Thornton and passed with the following vote: Aye: 5 - Dzuro, Lehr, Thornton, Medley and Diaz Recused: 1 - Ballard 7. CALL TO PUBLIC Chairman Diaz provided an overview of Call to Public. Seeing no comments, he closed Call to Public. Lake Havasu City Page 3 Printed on 5/15/2024 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final May 1, 2024 8. FUTURE MEETING The next scheduled meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission is May 15, 2024. 9. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Diaz adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m. _________________________________________ David Diaz, Chairman _________________________________________ Shelby Hennigan, Recording Secretary Lake Havasu City Page 4 Printed on 5/15/2024