COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council
FROM: Jeff Thuneman, Development Services Director
SUBJECT:Title
Discussion and Action: Resolution No. 26-3920 Adopting and Submitting to the Voters of Lake Havasu City for Ratification at the November 3, 2026, Election, the 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan: Shaping Our Future (Chris Gilbert)
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FUNDING SOURCE:
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PURPOSE:
To discuss and consider adoption of Resolution No. 26-3920 of the 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan: Shaping Our Future, and submitting the Plan to the voters of Lake Havasu City for ratification at the November 3, 2026, Election.
BACKGROUND:
Lake Havasu City is mandated by Arizona state law to update its General Plan every ten years to ensure alignment with the community's evolving needs and priorities. The General Plan provides the long-term framework for guiding future growth and development, addressing topics such as land use, transportation, housing, conservation, and public services.
The last comprehensive update to the City's General Plan was completed in 2016. Over the past decade, the City has experienced changes in population, development patterns, economic activity, and community priorities. To respond to these changes and to establish a strategic vision for sustainable future development, the City initiated a full update of the General Plan. Logan Simpson Design, Inc., was retained to lead this effort in close coordination with City planning staff, the General Plan Steering Committee, and the City’s Technical Advisory Committee.
In April 2025, the City Council approved the Public Participation Plan to ensure broad community engagement throughout the update process. Outreach efforts included a project website, citywide questionnaires, public workshops, live radio broadcasts, attendance at major community events, and numerous drop-in sessions with local organizations and stakeholders. To date, these efforts have reached nearly 27,000 people.
The General Plan update followed a five-phase process and is now entering the public hearing stage leading up to voter ratification in November. The Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council have received regular briefings, most recently in February. The Steering Committee has convened five times to guide overall direction, while the Technical Advisory Committee has reviewed materials for accuracy and completeness. These efforts have resulted in Draft 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan being presented for public comment at public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council.
The major changes contained in the draft 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan, compared to the currently adopted 2016 General Plan, include a reduction in land use categories from sixteen to seven, updated goals and objectives, the introduction of a shoreline protection buffer for the Island, alignment of land use categories with corresponding zoning designations, and a more user-friendly overall format.
The required 60-day review period for the draft General Plan occurred between February 17th and April 18th during which comments were solicited from the community and from external agencies, including the State Land Department. Almost 100 comments were received during this period and have been responded to; the full comment matrix is attached to this report. The General Plan Steering Committee held two meetings, before and after, the statutory statewide 60-day review and comment period which was open from February 17 to April 18, 2026.
Following the closing of this statewide comment window, the first Planning Commission public hearing was conducted on May 6, 2026, in the Lake Havasu Unified School District Boardroom with the second hearing being conducted in the City Council Chambers on May 20, 2026. Public comment was received but no action was taken following the first hearing. The second hearing received public comment and was followed by a unanimous recommendation to the City Council to approve the Draft 2026 General Plan. Written comments received during this hearing from citizens were provided by the City Clerk to the Mayor and City Council on May 21, 2026.
Following completion of the second public hearing before the Planning Commission, a single minor amendment was made to Page 97 under “Amendment Criteria” to permit small open space transfers of 4000 square feet or less (that are too small to be buildable lots) to be processed with no minor General Plan amendment required. This is primarily going to affect the Golf Course, which has been regularly selling small parcels along their links to adjacent homeowners for several years and is continuing to do so.
As required by Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-461, the City Council will now conduct a public hearing following the two public hearings held by the Planning Commission at different locations to obtain public input and consider final action by Resolution to adopt the final 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan: Shaping Our Future, and submitting the Plan to the voters of Lake Havasu City for ratification at the November 3, 2026 election.
A copy of the 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan: Shaping Our Future is available on the City’s dedicated website for the General Plan and can be accessed here:
<https://publicinput.com/Customer/File/Full/54d3de24-9037-467b-8d1a-bd9f284a2d8c>
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This General Plan, upon approval by a vote of the citizens of Lake Havasu City, will lay out the community’s vision for its future growth and development for the next 10 years.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Potential election costs have been budgeted as part of the overall General Election ratification expenses.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution No. 26-3920
60-Day Review Period - Comment Tracker and Responses
Hyperlink: <https://publicinput.com/Customer/File/Full/54d3de24-9037-467b-8d1a-bd9f284a2d8c>
June 9, 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan: Shaping Our Future (copy of Plan is available in the City Clerk’s Office)
POSSIBLE MOTION:Recommended Action
I move to adopt Resolution No. 26-3920 adopting and submitting to the voters of Lake Havasu City for ratification at the November 3, 2026, election, the 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan: Shaping Our Future.
I move to not adopt Resolution No. 26-3920 adopting and submitting to the voters of Lake Havasu City for ratification at the November 3, 2026, election, the 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan: Shaping Our Future.