The future of Lake Havau relies on those with vision and not a memory of time past. Please enjoy the following article as seen in today’s edition of the Today’s-Herald. We have an opportunity to realize our potential as THE resort destination of the desert southwest. It’s ours time to prosper!

English Village developer to submit plans to city
Likely to go in front of planning commission by August
By NATHAN BRUTTELL
Today’s News-Herald
Published Tuesday, June 7, 2011 10:34 PM MST

Excitement seems to be building on new proposed plans at the English Village.

English Village property owners, Virtual Realty Enterprises, submitted this artist rendering of proposed plans at the property that would add more than 200 condominiums in three eight-story towers, 24 additional townhouses and 100 new boat slips. VRE representatives said they would submit plans to the city within the next two weeks. Submitted illustration

English Village property owners, Virtual Realty Enterprises, met with members of the Lake Havasu Association of Realtors Tuesday, a month after a public meeting that gauged the interest in residents on the plan set to “revitalize the English Village.” VRE representatives previously presented plans that would add more than 200 condominiums in three eight-story towers, 24 additional townhouses and 100 new boat slips. The presentation in May was the first step in a rezoning request VRE representatives plan to make at a later date.

VRE Development Partner Paul Sharpe said the local reaction has been enthusiastic and the group plans to submit the project to the city in the next two weeks.

“We spoke to a bunch of Realtors (Tuesday) and I would call it unanimous support,” Sharpe said, adding that roughly 30 people were in attendance. “We’re getting enthusiastic support from almost everyone. … We are just about ready to submit the formal application of the planned development to the city.”

Sharpe said he’s received input from several local organizations regarding the development.

“Primarily we’ve had very positive support,” he said. “The project is intended to re-energize the English Village as a gathering place for the community. It’s going to create jobs and it’s going to create tax revenue. The predominant reaction I get is something needs to be done down there and thank God somebody is doing something.”

While there have been a few who oppose the plan, Sharpe said he has one question for people who think it’s a bad idea.

“To those people who say they don’t want the change, I ask them when was the last time you’ve been down there? And not many people have been,” Sharpe said. “If you go down there now, it’s still a pleasant place to see but it’s not earth-shattering. It’s tired and needs a makeover.”

Stuart Schmeling, the city’s planning division manager, said staff would need to review the plans and send notifications for the meeting before it could be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

“July 20 would be the soonest it could happen if we got it this week and were able to process it,” Schmeling said. “We have to meet all of the notification requirements and sometimes we have to check it for completeness and on bigger projects like this that could take a little bit.”

Taking roughly a month or two following a public presentation to submit plans to the city is not uncommon for a project of the same size, Schmeling said. The initial request seems legitimate, Schmeling said previously.

Jim Liesen, Planning and Zoning Commission chairman, said he’s eager to see the new plans.

“As someone who watched the London Bridge get built and has seen the English Village come and go, I’m really excited to see anyone’s new idea of what the future of that property could be,” Liesen said, adding that he has not seen any of the plans. “I am intrigued and keeping my fingers crossed that it’s a good project. I’m very hopeful that it’s something that can become a reality.”

Residents attending the previous public meeting expressed some concerns with the height of the eight-story towers.

“If I had one trepidation, it would be the eight stories,” resident Ed Knittle said during the meeting May 2. “But otherwise I applaud you and your company for coming in here and trying to make something out of nothing. That area has caused nothing but aggravation for a lot of people and I think you deserve a little credit for doing something.”

Knittle’s comments were met with applause from the crowd.

Currently, the area holds a C-1, or limited commercial, zoning. In order for VRE to make any changes, the project must be rezoned to the CRW/PD, or Channel Riverwalk District/Planned Development. Sharpe said VRE also plans to apply for a conditional use permit for the dock area and height exceptions and parking spaces exceptions as a part of a request to the city.