Planning commission approves Maricopa Avenue entertainment development with 50‑foot rock wall

Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 19 approved a planned development rezone and general development plan to allow outdoor entertainment — including a miniature golf course and a 50‑foot rock climbing wall — at three properties on Maricopa Avenue, the commission record shows.

City staff told the commission the three lots are currently vacant and that the combined property measures 0.92 acres; the motion filed on the record describes the site as approximately 1.92 acres. The commission approved the request by a 7‑0 vote.

Planner Mr. Kearns summarized the proposal, saying the properties are located on Maricopa Avenue between Pecos Drive and Outpost Drive, that surrounding land uses are a mix of commercial and residential, and that the project “complies with the existing underlying land use.” Kearns said the applicant requested exceptions to allow outdoor entertainment and a height exception for a 50‑foot rock climbing wall.

Rob Sampson of Selberg Associates, the project applicant, described the planned venue as an entertainment site with a world‑class miniature golf course designed by Harris Designs, a small outdoor tiki‑style bar, interior amenities such as batting cages and a small restaurant and a separate outdoor rock climbing wall. Sampson said the developer, Joe Costello, intends to use a portion of proceeds from the climbing wall to support local causes: “they wanna use this rock climbing wall to do, like, a percentage of the proceeds,” Sampson said.

Vice Chair Tiffany Wilson and other commissioners asked about impacts to nearby residences. Wilson said her primary concern was the proposed wall height, adding, “My only concern is that height of that rock wall.” Sampson said the building itself is anticipated to be about 25 feet tall (zoning allows up to 36 feet by right) and that the rock wall would be a narrow prefabricated element; he also said lighting would be shielded and that outdoor sound would be kept to a minimum. Sampson said operations and attractions would be turned off at 10 p.m.

Commissioner JP Thornton confirmed each lot measures 50 by 100 feet, and Sampson said the combined buildable area is about 5,000 square feet. Sampson also said indoor space was planned to be roughly 2,500 square feet. The applicant indicated the owner is considering the trade name “Dimples” for the venue.

The commission voted to approve the planned development rezone and general development plan with staff recommendations. The motion passed 7 to 0. No public commenters addressed the item during the public hearing.

Questions raised at the meeting that remain administrative or technical include the final structural footprint of the climbing wall (applicant said width may be 10–15 feet depending on design) and the final acreage listed in the formal motion (0.92 acres per staff presentation vs. 1.92 acres stated in the motion). Staff will record final site data and conditions in the ordinance/resolution that implements the rezone and plan.