Neighbors oppose Greenbrier’s request to raise pickleball acoustical barrier to 15 feet; council will consider amendment April 17

City staff presented a request from Greenbrier Hills Country Club to amend a previously approved major site plan so the acoustical fabric on the south barrier of newly built pickleball courts could be extended from 10 feet to 15 feet in height. The request follows two post‑construction sound studies that did not meet the required St. Louis County noise standard.

“This is a amendment request to a previously approved major site plan,” Planning Director Jonathan Raich said, noting the original approval from January 2023 included a condition requiring a post‑construction sound study. Raich said two sound tests failed the county standard, and the applicant is now asking to raise acoustical material on the southern fence from the previously approved 10 feet to 15 feet to meet the required sound thresholds.

John Nations, counsel for Greenbrier, said the club asks only “to add 5 feet of acoustical barrier on a fence that’s already been approved at 15 feet.” He added the county noise control ordinance is the applicable standard and said the club’s consultants believe the added acoustical fabric will allow the site to comply with the county code. Nations said the club will submit another sound test after any construction.

Neighbors and other speakers challenged the effectiveness and visual impact of the proposed extension. Julie Missy, who lives on Briargate Lane adjacent to the courts, told the council the courts sit about 60 feet from her property, said her neighborhood’s consultant (Spandarian and Willis Acoustics & Noise Control) concluded the location is not compatible with adjacent homes, and argued that elevation differences and line‑of‑sight issues make a 15‑foot acoustic wall “impractical.” Missy said two prior sound studies have failed and urged the council to deny the amendment.

Other residents cited health, sleep and property‑value concerns. Steve Missy described family members sensitive to noise, including a son with Down syndrome and autism. Leland McClure, a board‑certified forensic scientist, referenced recent EPA guidance and a model noise ordinance describing impulsive noise; he recommended the council review line‑of‑sight guidance for abatement.

Greenbrier representatives said the club has planted additional landscaping, is willing to discuss further plantings, and intends the fence material to remain visually similar to open mesh up to 15 feet as permitted by the fence code. Club speakers said the courts were constructed after evaluating alternatives and that members view the courts as important for the club’s long‑term viability.

The Planning & Zoning Commission previously considered the amendment and failed to recommend approval by a vote of 3–4. Raich said staff is not making a recommendation on the amendment. The public hearing was closed; the clerk said the resolution will be on the April 17 council agenda for consideration. Raich and the applicant confirmed the city will require another post‑construction sound test if the added acoustical fabric is installed.

Council members asked about landscaping and whether additional evergreens could be planted to screen the wall and provide acoustic absorption; Greenbrier indicated it would work with the city on additional plantings. Several residents offered to host council members so they could hear the courts from private yards before council action.