Planning and Zoning Commission

Jim Harris, Chair Lake Havasu City Tiffany Wilson, Vice Chair Council Chambers Suzannah Ballard 92 Acoma Boulevard South Joan Dzuro Lake Havasu City, Arizona Paul Lehr 86403 Gabriele Medley www.lhcaz.gov JP Thornton Phil Annett, Alternate Mary Costa, Alternate Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting Lonnie Stevenson, Alternate Minutes - Final Wednesday, February 19, 2025 9:00 AM 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Harris called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Harris led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Present: 10 - Suzannah Ballard, Joan Dzuro, Paul Lehr, Tiffany Wilson, Lonnie Stevenson, Jim Harris, Gabriele Medley, Mary Costa, JP Thornton and Phil Annett 4. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Planning Division Manager Chris Gilbert stated the Minor General Plan Amendment and PD/Rezone for 1719 Magnolia Drive were approved by City Council at their recent meeting on February 11, 2025. City Staff had their first meeting with Logan Simpson, the consultant for the General Plan update, which focused on the timeline and approval process. Staff also took the team for a City tour. 5. MINUTES ID 25-4685 Approval of the Minutes of the February 5, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting (Shelby Hennigan) Vice Chair Wilson moved to approve the Minutes of the February 5, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting, seconded by Commissioner Medley. The motion passed with the following vote: Aye: 7 - Ballard, Dzuro, Lehr, Wilson, Harris, Medley and Thornton 6. PUBLIC HEARING Chair Harris provided a brief overview of the Public Hearing process. Lake Havasu City Page 1 Printed on 3/5/2025 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 19, 2025 ID 25-4668 A Request for a Planned Development Rezone and General Development Plan of 3485, 3489 & 3493 Maricopa Avenue, Tract 2217, Block 17, Lots 8, 9 & 10, Approximately 0.92 Acres, from Commercial - Southgate (C-SGD) District to Commercial - Southgate/Planned Development (C-SGD/PD) District to Allow Outdoor Entertainment for a Mini-Golf Course and an Outdoor Rock-Climbing Wall to a Height of 50 Feet Above the Approved Maximum Grade (Trevor Kearns) City Planner Trevor Kearns reviewed the Staff Report [displayed PowerPoint], highlighting the following: • The subject properties measure a combined 0.92 acres and are vacant. • Abutting properties to the east and west are zoned Commercial - Southgate (C-SGD) District and are undeveloped. Properties to the north are zoned Residential - Southgate (R-SGD) District and are a mix of vacant and developed residential uses. To the south is Maricopa Avenue and Highway 95. • The subject and surrounding properties have a General Plan Land Use designation of Commercial Mixed-Use. The proposal complies with the existing land use. • The subject properties are zoned C-SGD, which allows a max building height of 36-feet. • C-SGD zoning allows restaurant use, but prohibits outdoor entertainment use. • The proposed project conforms to the adopted Parking-in-Common Masterplan. Mr. Kearns explained the applicant’s Letter of Intent requests two exceptions: 1. An exception to allow outdoor entertainment uses to facilitate an outdoor mini-golf course and rock-climbing wall. 2. A height exception to allow a 50-foot-tall outdoor rock-climbing wall. Rob Sampson, Selberg Associates, explained this is another exciting project he looks forward to presenting. The owner is planning to work with Harris Miniature Golf, one of the top mini golf designers in the country, to bring a new family-friendly entertainment venue to the south side of town. He reviewed the Conceptual Site Plan, showing front parking with the mini golf course and proposed building located towards the rear of the lot. In addition to a world class mini golf course, the site will offer additional entertainment amenities, including an outdoor rock-climbing wall, a small outdoor tiki bar, an indoor bar/restaurant, indoor batting cages, and possibly some kind of indoor soccer component. Mr. Sampson explained his client, Joe Costello and his development team, have a vision to create a venue that will also give back to the community. They plan to offer fundraiser opportunities for local organizations and feel the rock-climbing wall will be a unique feature to complement the rest of the entertainment options. They looked at several options and determined a 50-foot wall to be a good beginning-to-intermediate height wall. Lake Havasu City Page 2 Printed on 3/5/2025 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 19, 2025 It is not designed for professional rock climbers, but will be fun and challenging for the average guest. Mr. Sampson explained the max building height for C-SGD is 36-feet, but they anticipate the proposed building to be closer to 25-feet due to cost constraints. He displayed a Concept Model referencing the heights of the building and rock wall on the site. They left specific details out of the golf course because it will be designed by Harris. Guests will check in at the front of the building and circulate through the golf course. Mr. Sampson noted the following project advantages: • It will offer beneficial entertainment and recreational opportunities on the south side of the City. • The site will include professionally designed landscaping, including artificial turf, landscape rock and boulders, and water features. The restaurant and outdoor entertainment will be known as Dimple’s Adventures, to promote a fun atmosphere. • It will offer unique fundraising opportunities for local organizations. • Indoor features will offer additional entertainment opportunities. He reviewed the requested exceptions as presented by Mr. Kearns and is happy to answer any questions. Commissioner Dzuro confirmed the proposed building will be approximately 25-feet, which is under the max height, so the only structure over height is the rock wall. She asked if the narrow portion of the rock wall will be visible to the residential neighborhood behind the properties. Mr. Sampson responded affirmatively, explaining they don’t have specific structural details of the rock wall yet, but are looking at prefabbed designs ranging from 10- to 15-feet wide on the sides. The narrow side will face the neighborhood. Commissioner Thornton asked for the total square footage of the project. Mr. Sampson stated there is approximately 5,000 sq. ft. of buildable area. Commissioner Lehr inquired about the outdoor lighting and outdoor music. He is concerned noise and lighting may impact the adjacent multifamily developments across the alley, noting the windows on that side of the buildings are likely to be bedrooms. Mr. Sampson explained they were prepared for this question and discussed it with Mr. Costello. Outdoor operations would go until 10:00 p.m. at the latest. Outdoor sounds and music would be limited to business hours. Indoor activities or music may continue, but Lake Havasu City Page 3 Printed on 3/5/2025 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 19, 2025 would be contained inside the building. Lighting will be shielded down to the golf course and will be limited to site lighting and accent lighting for golf course features, with no plans for bright, stadium type lights on the course. Commissioner Ballard asked about the total square footage for the proposed building, adding it sounds like they have significant plans for the indoor space as well. Mr. Sampson stated the indoor square footage would be 2,500 to 3,500 sq. ft. While the restaurant is intended to be full service, they are focusing on already established restaurants that can work in a smaller kitchen. Chair Harris opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no comments, he closed the Public Hearing. Mr. Kearns stated if the exceptions are approved, the rezone request complies with the required findings of the Development Code and is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Vice Chair Wilson stated this seems like a great idea and will bring something positive to the community for kids and families, which people are always asking for. Her only major concern is the height of the rock wall. She has spent a lot of time thinking about it. It is a great feature and she acknowledged they are very popular at similar venues in other cities. Commissioner Dzuro moved to recommend approval to the City Council of Land Use Action No. 25-4668 for a Planned Development Rezone and General Development Plan of 3485, 3489 & 3493 Maricopa Avenue, Tract 2217, Block 17, Lots 8, 9 & 10, approximately 0.92 acres, from Commercial - Southgate District to Commercial - Southgate/Planned Development District to allow outdoor entertainment for a mini-golf course and an outdoor rock-climbing wall to a height of 50 feet above the approved maximum grade. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ballard and passed with the following vote: Aye: 7 - Ballard, Dzuro, Lehr, Wilson, Harris, Medley and Thornton 7. CALL TO PUBLIC Chair Harris provided an overview of Call to Public and opened Call to Public. Seeing no comments, he closed Call to Public. 8. FUTURE MEETING The next regular meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Mr. Gilbert stated there is one item scheduled for the agenda. Lake Havasu City Page 4 Printed on 3/5/2025 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - Final February 19, 2025 9. ADJOURNMENT Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at 9:20 a.m. _________________________________________ Jim Harris, Chair _________________________________________ Shelby Hennigan, Recording Secretary Lake Havasu City Page 5 Printed on 3/5/2025