Board Approves Variance for Wylie Property's Private Pickleball Court

The Maricopa County Board of Adjustment convened on July 22, 2025, to address several agenda items, including a significant variance request concerning the Wylie property in District 1.

The meeting began with a motion to approve a variance, identified as BA250021, which was supported unanimously by the board members present. The motion was made by a board member who emphasized the hardship faced by the property owner, which was not of their making. Following a brief discussion, the motion received a second and was approved with a vote of 3 to 0.

Moving on to item number 7, the board reviewed case BA250033, which involved a request for a variance to allow a private pickleball and basketball court on the Wylie property. The applicant sought to reduce the required setbacks from adjoining properties, requesting only 4 feet instead of the mandated 20 feet in the R-4 zoning district. Additionally, a variance was requested for a 3-foot front setback from the north property line, which also required a minimum of 20 feet.

The board was informed that the court had been constructed without the necessary permits, leading to an active code violation initiated by a citizen complaint. The previous owners had built the court with setbacks of only 5 feet from the west lot line and 4 feet from the north lot line. Staff noted that they had received one notice of opposition from the neighboring property owner to the west, who was directly affected by the requested reduced setbacks.

Staff members expressed concerns regarding the absence of peculiar conditions or undue hardship that would justify the variance, stating that the enforcement of the zoning ordinance was appropriate. They indicated that the code violation could have been avoided had the property owner sought the required permits before constructing the court.

The board's discussion highlighted the importance of adhering to zoning regulations and the implications of granting variances without clear justification. The meeting concluded with the board's decision pending further deliberation on the Wylie property case, emphasizing the need for compliance with zoning laws to prevent future violations.