STAFF REPORT
TO: Planning & Zoning Commission Members
FROM: Planning Division Staff
REQUEST:Title
Second Public Hearing for the Draft 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan (Chris Gilbert)
Body
GENERAL INFORMATION:
As required by Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-461.06, the Planning & Zoning Commission will conduct two public hearings at different locations within the municipality to obtain public input and promote citizen participation regarding the draft 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan. The required statewide 60-day review and comment period was completed on April 18, 2026.
The first Public Hearing was conducted on May 6, 2026, in the Lake Havasu Unified School District Boardroom and this second hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers on May 20, 2026. Public comment was received but no action was taken following the first hearing. This second hearing will also receive public comment and will be followed by a recommendation to the City Council regarding the Draft 2026 General Plan.
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 the draft 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan being presented for public comment.
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.
Staff will be making a full presentation to the Planning Commission for this second public hearing. The consultant team made the presentation at the first public hearing.
ATTACHMENTS:
60-Day Review Period - Comment Tracker and Responses
Draft 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan
POSSIBLE MOTIONS:Recommended Action
I move to recommend approval of Land Use Action No. 26-5220 to the City Council, approving the Draft 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan.
I move to not recommend approval of Land Use Action No. 26-5220 to the City Council, not approving the Draft 2026 Lake Havasu City General Plan.