Commission recommends rezoning and general-plan amendment to bring West Yavapai/Polara Health parcels into compliance

The City of Prescott Planning Commission on Sept. 25 recommended approval of a minor general-plan amendment (GPA25-1) and a rezoning (REZ25-1) to change roughly 3.282 acres comprising multiple parcels from medium-high-density residential and residential-office zoning to Business Regional (BR).

Tammy DeWitt, community planner, told commissioners that most of the parcels have been used by West Yavapai Guidance Clinic (doing business as Polara Health) for behavioral-health services since 1966, and that the current application is intended to bring legal nonconforming commercial lots into compliance with city zoning and the 2015 general plan map. DeWitt said the application includes 11 parcels, no immediate changes to building footprints or uses are proposed, and city departments concluded the existing uses and infrastructure appear to meet code for the proposed zoning.

Tamara Player, president and CEO of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic (Polara Health), and Steven Polk, board chair, told the commission the organization has purchased newer facilities and intends to sell the Damron Street property; prospective buyers have told the organization that correcting the zoning is required to complete a sale. Polk said interested buyers are medical providers likely to continue medical or behavioral-health uses, and that the board will sell only to an appropriate buyer; he said offers received have been contingent on the rezoning.

A resident, identified in the record as Ms. Secht, spoke in opposition and expressed concerns about additional commercial uses, lighting, noise and parking impacts to the surrounding neighborhood; she asked whether a conditional-use process could allow review without changing the zoning citywide. Commissioners discussed the intent to clean up a patchwork of older zoning and the lack of proposed changes to current uses. Two separate motions — one to recommend the general-plan amendment and one to recommend the rezoning — were made, seconded and passed on roll-call votes recorded as 7-0.

The record includes a list of APNs for the parcels and a note that staff contacted property owners within 300 feet and posted notices; the hearing record shows no other written public comments were received prior to the meeting. The recommendations will proceed to city council for final action; any future buyer intending a different use would need to follow applicable review processes.