Planning commission recommends rezoning for Lake Havasu property to allow outdoor storage in front of building

Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 6 voted 6-0 to recommend that City Council approve a planned development rezone and general development plan for 669 Lake Havasu Avenue North to allow outdoor storage in front of the primary structure and to permit the outdoor storage area to exceed the area of the primary building. The commission’s action sends the item to City Council for final consideration at its Sept. 9 meeting.

The site measures 1.66 acres and is developed with a 12,500-square-foot commercial building at the corner of Lake Havasu Avenue North and Industrial Boulevard, city staff said. The property is currently zoned general commercial (C-2); the applicant requested rezoning to general commercial planned development (C-2 PD). "The subject property measures 1.66 acres. The property is currently developed with a 12,500 square foot commercial building," Mr. Kearns, a city staff member, told the commission.

Staff recommended four conditions to support the requested exceptions: the development must substantially match the submitted general development plan; a six-foot-tall concrete masonry unit perimeter wall shall be installed; storage materials must be stored at a maximum height of six feet; and building permits and design review for code compliance are required prior to development. "Staff will be recommending a perimeter screening device, and storage materials should be kept at a maximum of 6 feet tall," Mr. Kearns said.

Commission discussion focused on visibility and traffic sight lines at the corner. Commissioner Lonnie Stevenson asked whether the proposed front wall would impair turning visibility from Industrial Boulevard onto Lake Havasu Avenue; Mr. Kearns said the city’s site-distance requirement applies and that the plan’s corner cutback is intended to meet that standard. "The city has a site, distance requirement that would need to be met, which is why the site plan has the cutback on the corner," Mr. Kearns said. The staff presentation said the wall will sit behind the sidewalk and an approximately 10-foot landscaped strip.

Commissioners also confirmed that an existing chain-link fence and slatting shown on the general development plan would remain around the rear storage area, while masonry screening would face Lake Havasu Avenue and Industrial Boulevard. Applicant Paul Lehr, who gave his address as 2000 McCulloch Boulevard, told the commission he was available to answer questions.

The commission moved, seconded and voted to recommend approval with the staff conditions; the motion passed 6-0. Commissioner Joan DeZurro made the motion and Commissioner Annette seconded it. The commission’s recommendation does not itself change zoning; City Council will consider final action at its Sept. 9 meeting.

If Council approves the rezoning and general development plan, the project will proceed to design review and building-permit review to confirm the site-distance details and compliance with other city codes.