Planning commission approves Dixie Belle at London Bridge Resort dock, limits extension to 20 feet

Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commissioners approved a conditional use permit (ID 19-1931) on April 3 to allow the Dixie Belle tour boat to operate from a dock at 1477 Queens Bay at the London Bridge Resort, with staff conditions and an amendment limiting any dock enlargement to a maximum of 20 feet.

City planning staff explained the request at the public hearing. Stuart Schmeling, city staff, told the commission the request is similar to a 2017 approval and that the application included a proposed dock addition; staff recommended the docks be enlarged by “at least an additional 10 feet” but said the Army Corps of Engineers would ultimately determine an appropriate length. “All necessary permits shall be obtained prior to construction,” Schmeling said as he summarized staff findings and recommended conditions.

The applicant, Christina Gallo, assistant general manager at the London Bridge Resort, said the resort would rent dock space to the Dixie Belle while the Dixie Belle would continue to own and operate the vessel. Gallo told commissioners the resort’s lawyers were working with the Army Corps and that the applicant “feel[s] it would only need a max of 20” feet and agreed to a condition capping any enlargement at 20 feet.

Scott Mitchell of Waterbuzz Flyboarding, who also spoke for the operation that will run from the same dock, described operational safety measures. “Our operator on the ski is a master certified operator, and they're the only ones who can control height, speed, distance, where they go. We control where those people fly at all times,” Mitchell said, explaining that operators coordinate to keep flyboarders clear of other boats and the Dixie Belle.

A public commenter, Larry Ekman, raised concerns about parking and safety, saying available public parking is limited and that the Dixie Belle is a large vessel that “sticks out much farther than the 20 foot extension.” Ekman asked the commission to reconsider having two large boats in the channel and called parking a “real issue.”

Staff recommendations adopted by the commission included: docking enlargement (amended at the hearing to not exceed 20 feet), compliance with Lake Havasu City Fire Code for fueling, fire extinguishers on the dock, prohibition on vessel repair except routine maintenance, passenger loading and unloading only at the approved dock (no pickups elsewhere), limits on signage, responsibility by London Bridge Resort to dedicate on-site parking to address the added demand, required city business license and TPT license for the Dixie Belle, business transactions occurring at an on-site office, and hours of operation limited to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Commissioner Still made the motion to approve ID 19-1931 with staff recommendations amended to limit the dock enlargement to “not to exceed 20 feet” and to relinquish the previously approved conditional use permit across the channel; Commissioner Dan McGowan seconded the motion. The commission voted to approve the permit (motion passed). The commission recorded that the applicant nodded in agreement to the proposed conditions during the hearing.

The approval includes both operational and safety conditions and a requirement that the applicant obtain any external permits (Army Corps and city permits) before construction or operations proceed. The commission did not state a separate appeal or council-review step at the hearing; the action was taken on the conditional use permit before the commission.

The commission’s action followed public comment and applicant concessions on the dock length and operational conditions; parking and channel-safety concerns raised by a public commenter remain noted in the record.