COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jeff Thuneman, Development Services Director
SUBJECT:Title
Adopt Ordinance No. 24-1342 Amending Lake Havasu City Code Title 14, Zoning (Development Code), Section 14.04.01.A.1, Table 4.01-1, to Revise Maximum Height of Developments Adjacent to Single and Two-Family Uses Existing Prior to the Effective Date of the Development Code in R-SGD District From 18 Feet to 30 Feet (Chris Gilbert)
Body
FUNDING SOURCE:
N/A
PURPOSE:
To approve a City-initiated application to increase the Residential Southgate District (R-SGD) height limit adjacent to pre-existing single and two family developments to 30 feet and into equitable alignment with the very similar Residential Multiple Family (R-M) District which is already set at 30 feet.
BACKGROUND:
While summarized above, the text amendment contained in this request, and attached as tracked changes, are necessary for various reasons as explained below:
Amendment to Residential Southgate District (R-SGD) Maximum Height next to Existing Residential Prior to Adoption of Development Code: This amendment is being requested to bring the R-SGD Maximum Height Limit of 18 feet next to pre-existing residential within the same district (not the same category as being next to single family zoning which is a consistent 18 feet maximum height across all listed districts) to be consistent with the similar Residential Multiple Family (R-M) District which is set at 30 feet as shown in the attached Tracked Changes document. Both Districts share almost the same permitted and conditional use table breakdown and are buffers to lower density residential development from major roadways, commercial, and industrial districts. The R-SGD District is underdeveloped today with a lot of vacant lots for the length of time the District has existed. This change would encourage higher density residential development with 2-story buildings throughout the zone instead of just areas where there happens to not be a single or two-family existing development adjacent. It is important to note again that this change does not affect the 18-foot height limit for developments on lots in this district that are adjacent to single family residential zoning districts.
The Planning Commission recommended approval by a 7-0 vote at its June 5, 2024, Regular Meeting.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The proposed amendment, while minor in nature, will have a significant impact on developer’s ability to provide new multiple family housing developments in the R-SGD Districts which are designed to accommodate such developments already, but the changes will encourage more efficient development and use of available land within this zoning district.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance No. 24-1342
Tracked Changes - R-SGD Height
SUGGESTED MOTION:Recommended Action
I move to adopt Ordinance No. 24-1342 amending Lake Havasu City Code Section 14.04.01.A.1, Table 4.01-1.