Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – June 17, 2026

The Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission met on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers at 92 Acoma Boulevard South, Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Chair Jim Harris called the meeting to order, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the commission conducted one public hearing on a proposed Development Code text amendment. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.

Correspondence and Announcements

• Roll call listed nine present: Suzannah Ballard, Joan Dzuro, Paul Lehr, Tiffany Wilson, Lonnie Stevenson, Jim Harris, Gabriele Medley, Mary Costa, and JP Thornton. Phil Annett was absent.
• Planning Division Manager Chris Gilbert reported that the City Council unanimously adopted the 2026 General Plan at its prior meeting; the plan will be on the November 3, 2026 ballot for voter ratification. During the pre-election period, City staff cannot actively advocate for the plan, but the public, elected officials, and Board and Commission members are encouraged to share information.
• The City Council also approved the Planned Development Amendment for the Come Together Apartments at The Shops, which reconfigured several of the proposed buildings.
• Commissioner Suzannah Ballard attended her final meeting; her term ends June 30, 2026, after eight years of service. She received a Certificate of Appreciation.

Minutes Approval

• Vice Chair Tiffany Wilson moved to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2026 regular meeting, seconded by Commissioner Suzannah Ballard. The motion passed 7-0.

Public Hearing: ID 26-5252 – Shoreline Public Access Code Amendments

• Staff presented text amendments to Lake Havasu City Code Sections 14.02.04(D) and 14.02.05(G), covering the Mixed Use-Channel Riverwalk District and Island-Body Beach District, to preserve shoreline public access. The amendments grew out of public input received during The Waterfront project review, the 2026 General Plan update, and the General Plan Steering Committee.
• Key proposed requirements: a 75-foot shoreline access area measured from and parallel to the 450-foot elevation shoreline would be dedicated to the City; a 25-foot building setback would be required from the edge of that access area; perpendicular access routes to the shoreline would be required approximately every quarter mile to preserve open lake views from inland areas; and shoreline access areas and routes dedicated to the City could count toward open space and landscape requirements under a City agreement. Similar protections would apply to Body Beach if it is ever developed.
• Staff reported that the Arizona State Land Department, which owns most of the remaining undeveloped land affected by the amendments, is not opposed as long as it is notified of upcoming changes.
• Chair Harris asked whether the access routes were planned or conceptual. Mr. Gilbert explained that the map example was conceptual, with route locations determined by project design; routes could be roadways or pedestrian walkways.
• Vice Chair Tiffany Wilson asked about developed State lease properties shown on the map, including the Beachcomber, Islander, and Crazy Horse resorts. Staff responded that these are under long-term leases with no current indication they will be vacated, and the protections would apply if land is sold and developed in the future. Development Services Director Jeff Thuneman added that developed sites would be considered legal non-conforming and could continue operating as-is unless significant expansion, site improvements, or use changes occur.
• Staff noted that the General Plan cannot impose entitlements the way the Development Code can, which is why the shoreline protections are being codified in the Development Code now.
• No members of the public spoke during the public hearing.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the public hearing or during the Call to Public.

Key Outcomes

• The Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of Land Use Action No. 26-5252 to the City Council. Vice Chair Tiffany Wilson made the motion; Commissioner Joan Dzuro seconded it. Staff recommended no conditions because the item is a Development Code text amendment.
• The regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, 2026, has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with two cases and the annual election of Commission officers on the agenda.