On Oct. 14 the Prescott City Council approved Resolution No. 2025-1951 and Ordinance No. 2025-1913 to rezone about 3.282 acres — 11 parcels on the east side of Ruth Street and adjacent blocks — from a mix of Multifamily, Residential Office and other zoning to Business Regional (BR). The council vote on both items was 5-0.

Community Planner Tammy DeWitt said the rezoning brings the parcels into consistency with current land use and eliminates a longstanding legal nonconforming status for Polaris/Polara Health facilities that have operated on the site since 1966. The request included a minor general plan map amendment to change the land-use designation where needed. Staff said no change of use was proposed at this time and that residential uses would remain allowed under BR zoning.

Polara Health representatives and supporters addressed the council. David Farrow, a Polara board member and former VA mental health chief, described Polara’s network of existing crisis stabilization units, inpatient and outpatient facilities in Yavapai County and said the organization plans to sell the Prescott site to fund construction of modernized mental-health facilities. “We are looking to sell this facility so we can build better facilities for mental health in the Yavapai County area,” Farrow said.

Steven Polk, Polara board chair, said Polara has been acquiring and rehabilitating local behavioral health properties and that proceeds of a sale would be reinvested in improved facilities and programs. DeWitt said the city conducted required notifications to property owners within 300 feet, posted the site and advertised the request; staff received no public comments opposing the rezoning.

Planning and Zoning recommended approval 7-0 on Sept. 25; the council approved both the general plan amendment and rezoning ordinance 5-0. DeWitt said the city’s review found no concern with the proposed zoning change as it formally aligns land-use designation with existing uses.