The Field Club of Greenwich presented a pre‑application Feb. 25 for two new padel courts, an extension of spectator decking and related landscaping and drainage on its 11.1‑acre campus at 276 Lake Avenue.

Bruce Cohen, counsel for the club, described the courts as approximately 66 by 33 feet each, surrounded by glass walls and surfaced with a play surface commonly used for padel. The commission and staff noted that the project had been reviewed by ARC and conservation staff and that DPW had raised drainage comments; the club has submitted a drainage exemption and a conditional plan showing infiltration designed for a 10‑year design storm.

Commissioners asked for additional information on several items before formal application: whether the porous or artificial turf court surfacing and underdrains could be designed to manage larger storms (a request to explore increasing attenuation to a 25‑year design storm), documentation that the proposed lighting scheme will comply with town lighting regulations and will be timed to shut off with existing approved site lighting, and a maintenance and operation plan for porous surfaces. Several commissioners also asked the applicant to provide a phonometric (noise) analysis showing typical padel play levels and how they compare with town limits, and asked the club to consider specifications and films to reduce the risk of bird strikes on the transparent wall panels.

Conservation staff asked that Norway spruce specified for screening be replaced by white spruce (or other species preferred by conservation staff), and the conservation chairman urged the club to coordinate plantings so new trees have the best chance to thrive. The club said it would work with its landscape architect to provide an updated planting list and would discuss drainage and porous‑surfacing maintenance with its engineers.

Commissioners also asked whether the club could provide data on relative capital and operating costs of padel vs. other court types for future applicants; applicants agreed to explore and to return with more detailed engineering, materials samples and a DPW‑approved drainage plan before a formal submission to P&Z.

No formal vote was taken; the project will proceed to ARC for detailed review of lighting and landscaping, and then back to planning staff and the commission with the requested engineering and materials information.