Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 4, 2024
Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 4, 2024
The Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Commission met on April 4, 2024, at 1:30 PM. All commissioners were present except Commissioner Stein, Commissioner Brown, and Commissioner Sabrowski. The meeting included approval of previous meeting minutes, a zoning map change and preliminary plat for Desert Rose, a conceptual plan for the Emerald Bay development, and adoption of code amendments regarding architectural standards. Four commissioners voted on all items, and all motions carried unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- March 7, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously (4-0) as presented. (Item 1)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Call to Public (Non-Agenda Items): Eva Corbett of Bullhead City announced a Bullhead City Council candidate forum on April 18, 2024, at 6 PM at the Bullhead City Realtors Association, 841 Hancock.
- Public Hearing on Emerald Bay Conceptual Plan:
- Sheila Barner (Mino Del Rio, dead man's curve) expressed concern that the proposed lagoon may be part of the Colorado River via two inlets, contradicting the applicant's claim of an isolated water feature. She requested a water sheriff station downstream due to expected increased jet ski traffic and safety issues.
- Carla Brady (1199 Camino Cove) stated the conceptual plan is deceptive in showing two openings to the river and claimed that Mark Clark, Utilities Director, recently told her board that no reclaimed water would be available for Emerald Bay or Palo Verde.
Discussion Items
- Item 2 - Desert Rose Zoning Map Change & Preliminary Plat (Z24-002 / S23-003): Staff (Johnny) explained that a previously planned 88-unit apartment complex on Parcel G of Chaparral Terrace Estates never materialized; the applicant proposes rezoning from R2 MF PAD to R1L PAD for 44 single-family lots (reducing density by half). Commissioner questions addressed drainage on adjoining parcel F, right-of-way reduction from 50 feet to 35 feet (private street), and water allocation. Public hearing held with no speakers. Motion to approve as written carried (4-0).
- Item 3 - Emerald Bay Conceptual Plan (P24-001): Staff described a 493-acre project (300 acres state land, pending auction) including a 27-hole golf course, 310 waterfront single-family homes ($1.5–$3.5 million), up to 600 multifamily units, 105 golf villas, resort hotel/spa, beach club, racket club, lagoon, marina, and sports science academy. The applicant (Shelby DuPlissey, Diversified Future, representing Mr. Lee and S3 Group) emphasized consistency with the general plan, private streets, and use of reclaimed water for the golf course. Commissioner concerns included financing transparency (property owner Riverland LLC with a Las Vegas mailing address, inactive status flagged), potential for an incomplete project like the “skeleton across the river,” water availability despite staff’s earlier statement, and the lagoon’s connection to the river. Staff clarified that the conceptual plan is a high-level review of land use and general plan conformity; detailed engineering, water allocation, and financial assurances will be addressed in later plat phases. Public hearing held with testimony. Motion to approve as written carried (4-0).
- Item 4 - Code Amendment on Architectural Standards (Title 17, Chapters 17.06 and 17.26): Staff (Johnny) presented the third discussion of proposed amendments requiring at least 75% conventional materials on primary residential and commercial structures (with no more than 25% metal), addressing building mass and color palette (90% natural tones, 10% accents), and providing exemptions for industrial buildings not visible from major arterials. Commissioners expressed support. Public hearing held with no speakers. Motion to approve amendments as written carried (4-0).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved March 7, 2024 meeting minutes.
- Desert Rose Rezoning & Preliminary Plat: Approved (4-0).
- Emerald Bay Conceptual Plan: Approved (4-0) as a high-level determination of general plan consistency; further zoning, plat, and engineering steps required.
- Architectural Standards Code Amendment: Approved (4-0) with new requirements for residential and commercial building materials and design.
- Future Topics: No items set for future agendas; meeting adjourned. Commission attendance/absence and upcoming events (air show, duck pluck) noted.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, all thank you for attending. Today is April 4th, Thursday, the normal planning and zoning commission meeting. Can we uh just a reminder turn off your phones just so they don't ring and interrupt folks? Appreciate that. And we'll call this meeting to order. Can we have a roll call, please? All commission members are present except for Commissioner Stein, Commissioner Brown, and Commissioner Sabrowski. Thank you. Gary, you want to lead us in the pledge? I put the flag of the United States of America. And we publicly for which it stands. Liberty and just for all. You know what? I always want to say that after. I don't see any presentations, Johnny. Do we have any? Okay, great. Okay, now is the time for call to public. This is where you guys can speak about things not on the agenda. You do have three minutes. Is there anybody wishing to speak? Good evening. Eva Corbett, Bullhead City. I just wanted to make everyone aware that we are doing a Bullhead City Council candidate forum on the eight April 18th. And that's at 6 p.m. And it's at the Bullhead City Realtors Association over on Hancock. It's 841 Hancock. That's it. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? Seeing none, we'll close the call to the public. Item number one discussion and possible action to approve the March 7th, 2024 regular meeting minutes. I make a motion to approve the March Second. 7th meeting minutes as presented. Second. Vote on the board, please. Four in favor of the motion. Motion carries. Number two is public hearing zoning map change Z24-002 subdivision S23-003. Request for approval of a zoning map change from R2 MF PAD, residential multifamily district planned area development to R1LPAD, uh residential single family limited planned area development, and approval of a preliminary plat for a project known as Desert Rose and described as parcel G of Chaparral Terrace Estates Track 40020, Bullhead City, Arizona. Madam Chair, Commissioners, as was noted. When that subdivision was developed, this parcel was kind of left aside for an apartment complex of up to 88 units. That never came to fruition. So the applicant that owns this parcel would like to develop it, rezone it from multifamily to single family to allow for the construction of some like radio homes and townhomes. So the density is being being reduced by half. I think the uh the apartments would have been up to 88 units. They are requesting 44 single family residential lots. Um so we're asking for the zoning change and for the approval of the preliminary plat. That shows the lot layout.
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