Commission upholds approval of lot line adjustment near Lake Havasu Golf Course, denies neighbor appeal 5-1

The Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 2, 2019, denied an appeal from an adjacent property owner and upheld the zoning administrator’s approval of a lot line adjustment that enlarged Tract 135D, Block 2, Lot 15 (a residential property abutting the Lake Havasu Golf Course) by 4,893 square feet.

Planning staff member Morris told the commission the lot-line adjustments in the area were processed under the city’s subdivision code (Title 13) and that this particular request met all six review criteria in chapter 13, including that no new roads were required, zoning and general plan standards were maintained, utilities and drainage were adequate, surrounding land could still be developed, the new lot sizes fit the pattern of nearby lots, and accessory structures must match the residence’s exterior finish where applicable.

Appellant Jerry Symansky, a Leonard Lane resident who identified himself at the hearing, said he bought his home because of the view toward the golf course and expressed concerns that adding the golf-course land to the neighboring lot would "destroy my view" and reduce his property value. Symansky told the commission he feared a future building there and wrote, "they're gonna have to put up 1 of those fences because the golf balls do hit over there" and asked the commission to "reconsider."

Lee Johnson of APL Surveying, who said he submitted the original lot alteration application, told the commission the proposed lot line included a 45-degree cut to preserve sightlines from the neighbor’s property toward the green.

City staff and Commissioners noted that a lot line adjustment does not change the underlying zoning of any piece of land; Morris explained the golf-course portion of the adjusted lot remains zoned golf course and would require a separate rezoning application if the owner sought to change it. Commissioners also said a future rezone, if proposed, would be the proper venue for neighbors to object to any proposed change in setbacks or development.

Commissioner Nelson moved to uphold the zoning administrator’s approval and deny the appeal; Commissioner McGowan seconded. The motion passed 5 to 1, thereby maintaining the authorized lot-line change. The commission’s action preserves the zoning administrator’s earlier determination that the adjustment met the subdivision-code criteria.

Why it matters: The adjustment increases the residential parcel by 4,893 square feet and creates a parcel that, while still carrying portions zoned differently, may affect neighbors’ views and property configurations. Staff emphasized that any development of the newly configured property would still need to comply with applicable setbacks and would be subject to separate review if a rezoning were requested.