The commission discussed final design options for a FEMA-funded renovation of James E. Rogers Park, where staff presented two design alternatives: one that includes basketball and pickleball courts, playground equipment and stormwater improvements, and another that omits pickleball courts.

Staff recommended the option without pickleball courts because of anticipated noise, increased crowds and parking spillover onto neighboring streets. "It is against staff's recommendation to put pickleball courts in this neighborhood because of the noise, the crowds that they attract, and the amount of vehicles that would be parked on the roadways," a staff speaker said.

Residents who attended on-site meetings asked for pickleball courts, but commissioners raised neighborhood traffic concerns. One commissioner said the nearby intersection by Publix is "already one of the worst ones in the city" and warned adding pickleball would worsen congestion. Staff noted the park is in the Bel Air neighborhood and encouraged Bel Air residents to attend the public meeting to state preferences.

The project also includes stormwater work. Staff said the proposed park design will "help with the stormwater problem" in the corner near Harrison and Jenks Avenue by adding a pond to collect runoff, but it will not fully eliminate flooding because upstream drainage flows under State Road 390 and the ditch can still back up into the roadway during very heavy rainfall.

Staff recommended moving forward with constructing a park that reflects resident desires but cautioned about selecting features that could create future traffic and noise problems. Parking is limited on the site: staff warned there are 11 spaces in the lot and multiple pickleball matches could fill the lot quickly, pushing cars onto neighborhood streets.

No final vote to adopt a particular design is recorded in the pre-meeting transcript; staff recommended proceeding with design work and further resident engagement.