City Council approves temporary permit for 2025 Major League Pickleball Tournament

On May 22, 2025, the San Clemente Zoning Administrator convened to discuss several temporary use permits, notably for two upcoming pickleball tournaments. The meetings highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to manage community events while addressing parking and congestion concerns.

The first permit discussed was for the 2025 Cuff Pickleball Tournament, which was deemed categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Zoning Administrator supported the project, emphasizing that parking would be provided at the nearby outlets rather than the high school, which could alleviate potential congestion. Modifications to the conditions of approval were made to ensure clarity regarding signage and public complaint management.

Following this, the meeting turned to a second temporary use permit for a Major League Pickleball tournament scheduled for June 26-29, 2025. This event is expected to attract around 700 attendees daily, a decrease from the previous tournament's anticipated attendance. The staff report noted that this event would also utilize parking at the outlets, with specific conditions to mitigate overlap with a concurrent volleyball camp. The Zoning Administrator confirmed that the project met all necessary findings for approval and adopted the resolution for the permit.

In addition to the pickleball events, the meeting included a review of operations for Bona Fraqueta, a restaurant located at 1014 South El Camino Real. This review was part of a condition set by the city council to monitor the restaurant's compliance with parking regulations and its impact on local traffic. The restaurant, which has been operational since December 2021, was noted for its shared parking arrangement and service of beer and wine.

Overall, the discussions at the Zoning Administrator meeting reflect San Clemente's proactive approach to balancing community events with the need for effective traffic and parking management. As the city prepares for these events, officials remain focused on ensuring that local infrastructure can accommodate increased visitor numbers while minimizing disruptions to residents.