Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – March 5, 2026

The Bullhead City Planning and Zoning Commission held its regular meeting on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Bullhead City Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Boulevard, Bullhead City, Arizona. All commissioners were present. The Commission unanimously approved the prior meeting minutes as corrected, approved a preliminary plat for an Olive Garden restaurant site, and approved a commercial building setback code amendment. No members of the public spoke during the open call to the public or during either public hearing.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Cramer requested a correction on page six of the February 5, 2026 regular meeting minutes, stating that Commissioner Kramer lives in a subdivision adjacent to Laughlin Ranch, not in Laughlin Ranch. The Commission voted 7–0 to approve the minutes as corrected.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the open call to the public or during the public hearings on the preliminary plat and the code amendment.

Public Hearing – Preliminary Plat S26-001 (Olive Garden)

• Staff described the property as Lot 10 of the Home Depot Subdivision, Tract 5128, located south of and wrapping around the east side of the Home Depot parcel. The request was to split the single parcel into three lots, with one lot intended for an Olive Garden restaurant. No development plans were known for the other two lots.
• The Commission voted 7–0 to approve the preliminary plat. The Chair commented that the city had been seeking an Olive Garden for a long time.

Public Hearing – Code Amendment: Building Setbacks in Commercial Districts

• Staff requested an amendment to Title 17, Chapter 17.38 of the Bullhead City Municipal Code concerning building setbacks in commercial districts.
• Under existing rules, commercial property backing up to residential property requires a 15-foot setback. The same 15-foot setback applies when an alley separates commercial and residential districts, effectively creating a 40- or 45-foot separation when the alley width is included.
• The proposed amendment would reduce the setback from 15 feet to 5 feet on commercial lots that back up to an alley with no residential property beyond the alley. With the alley plus the 5-foot setback, the separation would still be at least 25 or 30 feet, compared with the 15-foot setback required when commercial and residential properties are directly adjacent.
• Staff noted that past commercial projects had to be modified or reduced in size because of the current setback, and that very few alleys exist in the city. The narrowest alley referenced is 20 feet wide, and most are 25 feet wide.
• Commissioner questions addressed the 5-foot distance from a building to the alley edge, trash bin placement and access, and utility easements. Staff responded that public utility easements would still be accounted for, and trash enclosures must be screened and comply with city code and Republic Services access standards.
• A commissioner asked where the full municipal code could be reviewed; staff said it is available online and showed the relevant section in a staff binder.
• The Commission voted 7–0 to approve the code amendment as written.

Reports and Future Agenda

• Staff reported that Arizona law requires the city's General Plan to be updated every 10 years. The 2016 General Plan is being updated to a 2026 General Plan.
• Discussion/work sessions are planned for April, May, and June, with a formal Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation targeted for the first meeting in June. City Council review is anticipated at the second council meeting in June.
• Outreach will include presentations to the Transit Commission and Parks and Recreation, public meetings, social media, and surveys assisted by the public information office. No mailed notices are planned.
• After City Council approval, the General Plan update would be placed on the November ballot for voter approval through the election pamphlet, according to the discussion.
• The Commission agreed the General Plan would be discussed as a regular agenda item at upcoming meetings, with the formal recommendation requested in June.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous 7–0 approval of the February 5, 2026 regular meeting minutes as corrected.
• Unanimous 7–0 approval of preliminary plat S26-001 for the Olive Garden project.
• Unanimous 7–0 approval of the Title 17, Chapter 17.38 commercial building setback code amendment.
• Next steps: General Plan update discussions at Planning and Zoning Commission meetings in April, May, and June; City Council consideration in June; and potential voter consideration in November 2026.