Council approves Veil Center land-use changes: gym project approved, adjacent residential 'barndominiums' authorized

Lake Havasu City council members approved three related land-use actions Tuesday that clear the way for a two-story gym and an adjacent 97-unit residential development at Veil Center Boulevard.

The council adopted a minor general plan amendment (Resolution No. 25-3820) to change a roughly 2-acre parcel at 60 Veil Center Boulevard from medium-density residential back to commercial mixed use. The amendment was introduced by city planning staff and carried a council vote of 6 ayes with one recusal; Vice Mayor Michelle Lynn recused herself from the three related items.

Separately, the council approved Ordinance No. 25-1355 to rezone the 2-acre parcel from Manufactured Home Park (RMH) to Mixed Use General Plan Development (MUGPD) to permit construction of a two-story, approximately 14,800–15,000 square-foot gym building with an exterior pool and associated parking and a partial two-level parking component. The planning commission had recommended approval of the rezone but withheld support for an exception the applicant requested to reduce durable alternate materials on the Retail Center Boulevard-facing facade. During the council hearing, applicant Rob Sampson of Selberg Associates argued the submitted elevations and materials met the code’s intent; he told the council, “I challenge any of you to sit here and tell me we don't meet 30% of the facade element in the intention of the way the code was written.”

Councilor David Diaz moved approval of the rezone and general development plan but the council excluded the applicant’s requested exterior-material exception (exception number 2). The motion passed with six ayes and one recusal.

On the larger adjacent parcel, the council adopted Ordinance No. 25-1356 to rezone approximately 15.92 acres at 40 Veil Center Boulevard from Manufactured Home Park (RMH) to MUGPD to permit a planned development of 97 detached single-family dwellings designed as “barndominium”-style units with private drive-in garages, internal circulation, amenities including pickleball courts and a themed pool, and HOA-maintained common areas. The planning commission had recommended approval, and the council vote was 6 ayes with one recusal.

Developers said the residential product will include two- and three-story units with loft-style interiors, elevators, and lock-and-leave design. Rob Sampson said the scheme allows owners significant storage and vehicle access—some units are planned with 66- or 74-foot garage depths to accommodate recreational vehicles. During public comment, resident Emiliano Torres questioned the aesthetics and parking, saying the conceptual images were “deceiving” and warning of potential shortfalls in guest parking and the risk of short-term rentals; in response the applicant said the development’s covenants, conditions and restrictions would prohibit short-term rentals and that design review will address visitor parking.

Planning staff told the council the residential portion sits below Veil Center Boulevard and will be partly screened from the street; staff said parking requirements will be met and additional visitor parking will be shown in final design review. Council member Nancy Campbell asked for darker, non-reflective finishes in visible elevations to avoid glare concerns; the applicant said materials and colors can be adjusted.

All three actions had been reviewed and recommended by the planning commission at its Feb. 5, 2025 meeting; the council’s votes move the projects to the next regulatory and design-review steps.