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Council approves conversion of River Valley Motel into 29 micro-apartments
Summary
The council adopted Resolution 2025-13 to approve a conditional use permit allowing conversion of the River Valley Motel at 1707 Needles Highway into 29 micro-apartments and one manager unit; staff said the project responds to housing needs, the property is about 0.98 acres and each unit will be 305–340 sq ft.
The Needles City Council voted to adopt Resolution 2025-13, approving a conditional use permit to convert the River Valley Motel at 1707 Needles Highway into a 29‑unit micro‑apartment complex with one manager's office.
City Planner Irene Romero presented the River Valley Motel Conversion Project on behalf of applicant Armin Gevidimian. Romero said the site is approximately 0.98 acres in the general commercial (C‑2) zoning district and that the C‑2 district allows motel‑to‑multifamily conversions with a conditional use permit. The proposed units range from about 305 to 340 square feet; the manager's unit is 816 square feet. Amenities would include a laundry room, storage, open courtyard (1,710 square feet), and 30 parking spaces. Staff reported that property owners within 300 feet were noticed and that staff had received no public comments before the hearing.
Several council members praised the project's rehabilitation of a property previously in receivership, noting prior health-and-safety complaints at the site. The applicant and supporters described the exterior work already completed, and the planning commission had recommended approval unanimously, according to staff.
During council questioning, staff said the units would be limited to a maximum of two adults per unit. After public comment in support, the council moved, seconded and adopted the resolution by roll call; the meeting record shows affirmative votes from all council members present.
Staff indicated the existing building footprint will remain and that interior work will include kitchenettes, upgraded plumbing, split air conditioning systems and remodeled bathrooms. The council's action authorizes the conditional use permit subject to the findings and conditions in staff's report.
