A majority of the Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on June 4 of an amended general development plan to redevelop 700 Delta Drive into 45 three‑story townhomes, permitting a maximum density of 22 dwelling units per acre.

The commission voted 7-0 to forward land‑use request 25‑4811 to the City Council with conditions. Commissioner Susanna Ballard moved to recommend approval and Commissioner J.P. Thornton seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

The amendment would replace an apartment building plan previously approved in October 2023 with a lower‑density townhome development on a 2.16‑acre parcel near the McCulloch Boulevard and Delta Drive intersection. Planning staff said the proposed buildings are three‑story stucco structures with second‑ and third‑floor balconies and ground‑floor garages. Matt Hall of Iris Development Services, representing the applicant, told the commission, "As staff has mentioned, we're looking to redevelop it from a 7 8 unit apartment comp apartment building down to 45 townhomes." He said the units would be three‑bedroom homes and could be a mix of rental and for‑sale units; the applicant indicated many units would be intended for employees.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on height and parking. The applicant said site grading would lower finished site elevations by about 12 to 15 feet so unit heights measured from the high point of McCulloch Boulevard would be below the 30‑foot limit; unit roof peaks were described as about 42 feet. Commissioner Lonnie Stevenson confirmed with the applicant that each unit would have three bedrooms. On parking, the applicant said primary parking would be internal garages with some guest parking allowance; there was no specific off‑site parking plan for larger vehicles if they cannot fit in a garage.

Staff listed conditions for approval, including that development "shall substantially match the general development plan provided with the request," that outstanding agency comments (including moving on‑site utilities) be addressed, that building permits and design review comply with city codes, and that the Lake Havasu City Public Works traffic impact comments be satisfied before development. Staff said the city's engineers recommended improvements to the alley and to Delta Drive, including curb, guttering and widening, to accommodate the project. Planning staff also said a new traffic study was not requested by Public Works for this application: "A new traffic study was not requested by the, public works department."

The commission's recommendation will go to City Council on July 8 for final action. If approved by council, the project would still require design review, building permits and completion of the public‑works improvements listed as conditions.

Details from the June 4 meeting: the applicant presented the project during the public hearing and no members of the public spoke. The commission asked staff and the applicant technical questions before voting to recommend approval. The record shows a unanimous 7‑0 roll call in favor of the recommendation (Ballard, Joan DeZurro, Paul Loehr, Lonnie Stevenson, Gabriel Medley, J.P. Thornton and Vice Chair Tiffany Wilson).