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Council approves revised Marina View plan development, caps building height at 45 feet after debate
Summary
Council approved a rezone and general development plan for 2250 Marina View Avenue, lowering residential density and approving single-family setbacks while denying the applicant’s request to retain a 60-foot height allowance; council approved a 45-foot maximum in a 5-2 vote.
Lake Havasu City — After extended public comment and council debate, the Lake Havasu City Council voted to approve a planned-development rezone and amended general development plan for a vacant 2.31-acre parcel at 2250 Marina View Avenue, lowering the number of residential lots and applying single-family setback standards while limiting building heights to 45 feet.
The applicant, Luke Still of Desert Land Group, told the council developers had repeatedly tried to attract a hotel or other commercial uses for the parcel without success and later pursued higher-density townhomes; he said the current buyer has an active contract to build eight single-family lots under the new plan. Planning staff recommended approval and noted the planning commission unanimously forwarded the application on April 16, 2025.
City planning staff described the site as part of the Havasu Riviera master-planned community and told council the area has evolved from an original mixed-use concept into primarily single-family residential. Staff highlighted that previous ordinances affecting the 35-acre area had allowed up to 60-foot building heights; the applicant requested retaining that previously approved 60-foot allowance for consistency.
Council members and public commenters questioned the loss of anticipated commercial development and expressed concerns about tax revenue, infrastructure capacity and the repeated rezoning of the Riviera. Council member Cameron Moses emphasized commercial nodes provide sales-tax revenue the city relies upon, and he said he would prefer the parcel remain designated for higher economic uses. Council member Nancy Campbell said she favored less density because of infrastructure concerns. Planning staff and the applicant responded that market conditions had prevented a hotel or similar commercial partner from committing to the site.
During deliberations Council member Moses moved to approve the rezone but to withhold the 60-foot height allowance. After further discussion an amended motion capped heights at 45 feet; that amended motion was seconded and carried 5-2. The record shows the council passed the motion with five yes votes and two no votes.
The approved change reclassifies the general development plan to permit eight single-family lots, requires structures to meet single-family (R-1) setback standards, and exempts certain MUN development-code elements per the applicant’s request. Council and staff noted the applicant will still need to proceed through required permitting and the approved plan does not itself build homes.
Planning staff marked the application as ordinance number 25-1362 on the agenda; the council’s action included a modification to limit maximum building height to 45 feet rather than retaining the previously approved 60-foot allowance.
