Planning commission denies special-use permit for Impact 928 group home in Havasu Heights

The Mohave County Planning and Zoning Commission on May 14 voted to deny a special-use permit request from Impact 928 to operate a group-style residential home for teenagers at assessor parcel number 12019125 in the Havasu Heights area of Lake Havasu City.

The commission’s denial followed about an hour of public testimony and questions from commissioners about staffing levels, funding, zoning and community notification. Opponents cited safety and sustainability concerns; supporters, including a former foster youth, urged local placements for teens.

Impact 928’s representative told the commission the group held a town hall on May 7 at the Lake Havasu Aquatic Center and that about 30 neighbors attended. The representative said the organization distributed flyers, left business cards with neighbors and “we have an online petition with 400 plus signatures supporting what we’re going to be doing.” The applicant also said paperwork had been completed and that the organization had formed a 501(c)(3).

Neighbors and other speakers pressed the applicant on operational details. Diana Santa said, “Staff, according to a lot of…