City Planners Propose Code Overhaul to Tackle Affordable Housing Crisis

The Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission has proposed code modifications aimed at increasing housing capacity. Specifically, changes to density and height limits in residential zones could facilitate more workforce housing.

The commission unanimously approved two code changes on Wednesday. The first change targets R-3 Limited Multiple Family Residential zones, increasing the maximum density from 10 to 16 units per acre.

According to Planning Division Manager Chris Gilbert, this seemingly minor adjustment could substantially reduce housing construction costs. “Higher land costs in Havasu make fewer units per acre less cost-effective,” Gilbert explained. “Increasing density could help lower rent costs and provide more workforce housing.”

Another proposed change affects the R-SGD Southgate District zone. It aims to increase the allowable height from 18 feet to 30 feet, facilitating two-story housing adjacent to single-story homes. This change does not apply if the lot abuts single-family homes.

City code describes the Southgate District as a high-density residential area near the southgate commercial corridor along Highway 95. Approximately 30% of the district’s lots remain undeveloped, according to Gilbert.

Gilbert believes that the proposed height increase would encourage mixed-use housing in the district. Both code amendments will be presented to the City Council for final approval.