Lake Havasu City Council Grapples with Controversial Bahama Ave Resort Proposals

As of 8 p.m. Tuesday night, the Lake Havasu City Council continued deliberations regarding a proposed 14-acre resort at 1850 Bahama Avenue. The project, presented by Studio KDA, aims to feature five four-story residential buildings with 172 units, complemented by a two-story commercial and restaurant facility, a surf pool, and a lagoon.

The comprehensive plan includes 681 parking spaces, with 315 allocated for boat and RV use. Two key requests were on the council’s agenda: a major general plan amendment and a planned development and rezoning proposal. Arizona state law mandates that at least five council members must approve the major amendment, requiring an affirmative vote from two-thirds of the governing body.

Cole Cannon, the lead developer, presented the project’s details and fielded questions from the council for an hour before they entered an executive session to consult with the city attorney. Mayor Cal Sheehy raised a critical question about the project’s primary focus — whether it would consist mainly of hotel units or rentals. Cannon clarified that the resort would primarily target tourism but could potentially offer long-term rentals as well.

Upon resuming the meeting, several council members expressed their opposition to the project. Council Member Jim Dolan raised concerns about reclassifying the land from multi-family to resort use, emphasizing the need for more long-term rental options instead of units for purchase. Similarly, Council Member David Lane criticized the planning process, suggesting that residents’ concerns were not adequately addressed. He pointed out a flier that seemed to incentivize public support for the resort, declaring, “My vote is a hard no.”

Cannon reassured the council that his team would not proceed if the proposal did not align with community desires, stating, “If the city doesn’t want this, life is too short, and I’ll move onto the next project.”

Residents reiterated past concerns during public comments, discussing issues such as traffic, noise, and water usage. However, some voiced support, arguing that the resort would be preferable to developing 280 residential units, highlighting that the pools could serve as valuable community amenities.

The latest updates on the Lake Havasu City Council’s decision can be followed at Arizonanews.org.