OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - February 18, 2026

City Council & Planning and ZoningWednesday, February 18, 2026
BodyLake Havasu City, Arizona
SessionCity Council & Planning and Zoning
DateWednesday, February 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 40:11

Transcript — Verbatim
1:03

Mr.

1:04

Chair, good to go.

1:19

Morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 meeting of the Lake Havasoo City Planning and Zoning Commission.

1:27

If you'd please rise and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:31

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:39

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice.

1:49

Madam Secretary, would you please call the roll?

1:54

Commissioner Susanna Ballard.

1:56

Present.

1:56

Commissioner Joan DeZero.

1:58

Here.

1:59

Commissioner Paul Air.

2:01

Vice Chair Tiffany Wilson.

2:03

Commissioner Lonnie Stevenson.

2:06

Chair Jim Harris.

2:07

Here.

2:08

Commissioner Gabriel Medley.

2:09

Here.

2:09

Commissioner Mary Costa.

2:11

Commissioner JP Thornton.

2:13

Commissioner Phillinette.

2:16

Okay, and let the record note that we have filled the two vacancy positions with Ms.

2:21

Costa and Mr.

2:23

Stevenson.

2:25

All right, correspondence and announcements, Mr.

2:27

Gilbert.

2:28

Uh thank you, Mr.

2:29

Chairman.

2:32

As you will see in the upcoming presentation, the draft 60-day comment period started on February 17th, which was yesterday for the general plan.

3:04

Mr.

3:04

Chairman.

3:05

Ms.

3:05

Ballard.

3:06

Under a motion that we approve the minutes of the January 21st, 2026 planning and zoning as presented.

3:14

We have a motion by Ms.

3:15

Ballard, a second by Mr.

3:17

Thornton to approve the minutes as written.

3:20

Any further discussion.

3:22

Seeing none, let's call for the question.

3:39

The motion to approve the minutes passes seven to zero.

3:42

Okay, let me just start by saying that this is a public hearing and there is a structured order to this proceeding.

3:57

That being done, we will then open the proceedings to the public for questions and input.

4:07

Uh podium and microphone to one only, keep all comments to less than three minutes, and to stay on point and not discuss subject matter that is not pertinent to the decision being presented here today.

4:18

After public testimony is taken, I'll then close the public hearing and bring the motion back to the table for city staff's exceptions and conditions of approval.

4:25

Discussion amongst the commission and eventually a motion to approve or disapprove.

4:29

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

4:32

Today's uh on today's agenda, the first item is ID 26-5112.

4:38

This is the 2026 general plan update progress report by Mr.

4:42

Gilbert.

4:44

Thank you, Mr.

4:45

Chairman.

4:45

And this item is an update.

4:47

It will not require any action by the commission.

4:50

Um good morning to the planning commission, everyone joining us today.

4:54

I'll be giving a brief update on the ongoing Lake Havasoo City General Plan update.

5:00

Chairman and this item is an update it will not require any action by the commission good morning to the planning commission everyone joining us today I'll be giving a brief update on the ongoing Lake Havasu City General Plan update this presentation will cover process and schedule participation update next steps and questions for those participating for the first time the general plan update and the goals and objectives that will come from it serves as the long range guide for the city's growth and development over the next decade and beyond this update does not change the current development code or zoning map any future policy changes to those documents would require a formal notice legislative public hearing process while such updates often follow a general plan revision it is far too early in the process to consider any amendments from the beginning of this two-year process and following the hiring of the consultant team from Logan Simpson design we established a public schedule to guide the timing and major milestones of the general plan update steps one two and three are now complete we are currently in step four build where draft chapters have been developed and reviewed by staff and the technical advisory committee and the 60 day comment period has begun and that was officially yesterday the work completed so far in step four is the primary focus of today's presentation step five is well underway already but is not yet developed enough to be at a point to include in this update engagement continues to be strong and consistent since our last update we've expanded our reason our outreach through pop-up events in-person virtual workshops social media and local radio the recent workshops focused on conforming confirming and refining the five aspirational statements reviewing draft goals for each chapter and exploring and validating the future land use map if all engagement summary was included in your agenda packet I do have some copies up here on the dias for anyone in the audience that would like one just ask me after the meeting it provides a brief overview of the community events and outreach efforts and most importantly it includes the workshop results that asked residents whether each statement or goal reflects what they want for the future Lake Havasu City to date we've engaged more than 2200 community members that's up from roughly 1800 at our September 2025 update and participation continues to grow as we move into public review the steering committee has continued to meet at key points throughout the process to review materials provide guidance and help ensure the general plan reflects community priorities our first meeting in June of 2025 focused on foundational items including the general plan overview and the initial aspirational statements to set the stage for all the work that followed at the second meeting in August 2025 the committee reviewed several major topic areas such as shoreline access open space infrastructure housing and the draft goals objectives for each chapter the third meeting in October 2025 built on that work the committee reviewed revised aspirational statements and provided input on airport development economic development expanding housing options shoreline access and updated goals and objectives a fourth meeting in February of 2026 saw the committee reviewing the draft general plan this was their opportunity to look at the full document provide guidance before it moves into public review since our last update in September of 2025 development services staff and the consultant team have participated in several additional community events these have been heavily tended and we've continued to reach a wide cross section of residents through booths pop-ups and informal conversations we also took advantage of the Havasu Resident Academy using that opportunity to build a group of community champions who can help keep the Spark alive during the waiting period leading up to ratification in November their involvement will be invaluable as we move into the final stages of the process the second visioning workshop held at the end of October 2025 included both an in-person session and a virtual option and it was widely advertised across radio newspaper city council meetings social media eblasts and the city's website to ensure community awareness and participation the workshop focused on several key components of the general plan update participants helped confirm and refine the five aspirational statements reviewed draft goals for each chapter and spent time exploring and validating the future land use map the feedback gathered during this workshop has been especially valuable as it helped us test whether the draft goals in the emerging land use framework align with the committee's long-term vision for Lake Havasu City as we reviewed input from workshops drop-in events surveys and committee discussions several clear themes have emerged these themes align directly with the chapter

10:00

The feedback gathered during this workshop has been especially valuable as it helped us test whether the draft goals in the emerging land use framework align with the committee's long-term vision for Lake Havasu City.

10:20

As we reviewed input from workshops, drop-in events, surveys and committee discussions, several clear themes have emerged.

10:27

These themes align directly with the chapters of the general plan and highlight what the community considers most important moving forward.

10:37

And as you can see on the slide that's up on the screen right now, those five categories of balanced growth and land use connected community and infrastructure, prosperous economy, costs of development, thriving residential areas and housing and healthy environment, parks and culture, and then some of the and then some of the objectives under that and then all the required elements mandated to be present in the general plan update per Arizona statutes are contained in those five themes so we actually advanced too fast here we go back to this I'm going to highlight each of the themes individually with a few comments.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████████████████████████████████████46%
General Plan███████████████████████████████████████40%
Procedural████████8%
Disability Rights███3%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting on February 18, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers, adjourning at 9:39 AM. The meeting featured a public hearing on the 2026 General Plan Update Progress Report, approval of previous meeting minutes, and public comments, with no voting actions required on the primary agenda item.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Ballard moved, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2026, Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting. The motion passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Hearing on General Plan Update:
    • Emiliano Torres (resident and General Plan Steering Committee member) expressed concerns about the process, stating the steering committee was treated as a focus group, input sources were not transparent, and there was an overemphasis on tourism. He disputed attendance figures and said he would likely vote no on the plan unless major changes were made.
    • Bonny Toy (resident) asked what steps were being taken to inform the public about the General Plan, and later in the Call to Public, she advocated for improved handicap accessibility, including lowering curb heights, and emphasized that the ADA is a minimum standard.
    • Debra Hunter (resident) encouraged the city to use front-page newspaper ads to promote the General Plan, and during the Call to Public, she recommended adding fluorescent paint to curbs downtown to improve visibility and prevent falls.
  • Call to Public:
    • Bonny Toy reiterated the need for handicap accessibility, citing potholes and damaged parking lots as hazards.
    • Emiliano Torres commented that the City Attorney’s remarks about the Public Education Plan went beyond legal advice into personal opinion.
    • Debra Hunter noted that curbs downtown are hard to see after dark, creating trip-and-fall risks, and suggested fluorescent paint.

Discussion Items

  • 2026 General Plan Update Progress Report (ID 26-5112):
    • Planning Division Manager Chris Gilbert presented an update, noting this was a non-action item. He outlined the process and schedule: the 60-day public review period began February 17, 2026, and an open house is scheduled for February 25, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the Mohave County Library. He reported over 2,200 community members engaged to date, over 22,000 website visits, and highlighted key themes: balanced growth, connected community, prosperous economy, thriving residential areas, and healthy environment.
    • Commissioner Dzuro asked about public preferences for businesses (mom-and-pop vs. chains) and whether existing parks were adequate. Mr. Gilbert responded that feedback was mixed, with some desiring chains like Chick-fil-A and Olive Garden, and that shoreline preservation dominated discussions due to the Waterfront project.
    • Commissioner Stevenson noted that 22,000 engagements made it unlikely that input came from a single demographic or special interest group.
    • Staff (Mr. Gilbert, City Attorney Kelly Garry, and Planning Coordinator Shelby Hennigan) clarified that the Public Education Plan (PEP) adopted by City Council in May 2025 is being followed, and that outreach includes events, flyers, social media, radio, and newspaper. They noted that participation is voluntary and that low turnout is common in local government processes.
    • Commissioner Dzuro stated she personally distributed over 100 flyers and attended events with friends to encourage participation.

Key Outcomes

  • No action required on the General Plan Update; the item was a progress report and discussion only.
  • Minutes approved (7-0).
  • Future meetings: The regular meeting scheduled for March 4, 2026, was cancelled; the next regular meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Mr. Chair, good to go. Morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 meeting of the Lake Havasoo City Planning and Zoning Commission. If you'd please rise and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. Madam Secretary, would you please call the roll? Commissioner Susanna Ballard. Present. Commissioner Joan DeZero. Here. Commissioner Paul Air. Vice Chair Tiffany Wilson. Commissioner Lonnie Stevenson. Chair Jim Harris. Here. Commissioner Gabriel Medley. Here. Commissioner Mary Costa. Commissioner JP Thornton. Commissioner Phillinette. Okay, and let the record note that we have filled the two vacancy positions with Ms. Costa and Mr. Stevenson. All right, correspondence and announcements, Mr. Gilbert. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. As you will see in the upcoming presentation, the draft 60-day comment period started on February 17th, which was yesterday for the general plan. Mr. Chairman. Ms. Ballard. Under a motion that we approve the minutes of the January 21st, 2026 planning and zoning as presented. We have a motion by Ms. Ballard, a second by Mr. Thornton to approve the minutes as written. Any further discussion. Seeing none, let's call for the question. The motion to approve the minutes passes seven to zero. Okay, let me just start by saying that this is a public hearing and there is a structured order to this proceeding. That being done, we will then open the proceedings to the public for questions and input. Uh podium and microphone to one only, keep all comments to less than three minutes, and to stay on point and not discuss subject matter that is not pertinent to the decision being presented here today. After public testimony is taken, I'll then close the public hearing and bring the motion back to the table for city staff's exceptions and conditions of approval. Discussion amongst the commission and eventually a motion to approve or disapprove. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Today's uh on today's agenda, the first item is ID 26-5112. This is the 2026 general plan update progress report by Mr. Gilbert. Thank you, Mr.

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