Yuma council adopts minor general plan amendment to allow up to 49 housing units near Colorado Street

YUMA, Ariz. — The Yuma City Council on Aug. 6 adopted Resolution R2025-081 to approve a minor general plan amendment for about 1.62 acres northwest and north of the intersection of Colorado Street and 20th Avenue, changing the property’s land‑use designation from low‑density residential to high‑density residential. The adoption clears the general plan step the applicant needs to pursue a rezoning to the R‑3 high‑density residential district.

The amendment increases the maximum number of dwelling units allowed on the undeveloped site from 8 to 49, which staff estimated would produce an expected population between 40 and 93 people. Meredith Rojas, the city’s associate planner, told the council the property is currently in the Manufactured Housing Park (MHP) zoning district and sits inside the West Riverfront study area and the city’s infill overlay district.

Why it matters: the change alters the long‑range land‑use expectation for the parcel and is a prerequisite for a developer to seek R‑3 zoning to build multifamily dwellings. City staff said a traffic impact statement will be requested as a condition of any rezone application, a step meant to address neighborhood concerns about congestion and speeding on Colorado Street.

Rojas said 15 neighbors attended a neighborhood meeting at the site and nine additional residents called or emailed afterward; most commenters at those outreach events opposed the amendment, citing traffic and a preference for owner‑occupied housing rather than rentals. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the general plan amendment on July 14. No members of the public spoke at the council public hearing on the item.

The motion to adopt Resolution R2025-081 was made by Deputy Mayor Smith and seconded by Council Member Morris. The clerk called a roll vote; Council Members Martinez, Morris, McClendon, Deputy Mayor Smith, Morales, Watts and Mayor Nichols voted aye and the resolution carried.

Next steps: approval of the general plan amendment does not itself change zoning or allow development. The applicant indicated an intent to apply to rezone to R‑3; that rezoning process can carry conditions (staff indicated a traffic study will be required) and will return to the council for separate action if pursued.