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Commission rejects PUD text change that would have allowed large indoor pickleball center at Bridal Flex Center
Summary
Commissioners denied a proposed PUD modification that would have expanded permitted health‑and‑fitness or indoor commercial recreation uses at the Bridal Flex Center, leaving in place earlier language intended to prioritize employment‑intensive tenants.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted down a proposed amendment that would have explicitly allowed a substantial indoor pickleball facility at the Bridal Flex Center, concluding the requested change departed from the site’s intended employment‑focused use.
Staff recommended denial, saying the PUD was negotiated to favor employment‑intensive uses such as corporate office, light industry, advanced manufacturing and research and development. “The intent was for these not to be standalone public recreational facilities,” planning staff told the commission, explaining that when the large flex building was negotiated the intent was to avoid it becoming primarily a retail‑style or leisure facility with low payroll impact.
The applicant and potential tenant disagreed. Rebecca Mott, attorney for the applicant, and Steve Niehoff, the franchisee for Pickleball Kingdom, told the commission the tenant would occupy under 25 percent of the building’s gross floor area (applicants said roughly 36,200 square feet in a 159,000‑square‑foot building, or about 24 percent) and that the facility would draw members from a broad area and bring spending to Hilliard restaurants and shops.
Commissioners split along those lines. Vice Chair Papsidero, Commissioner Italiano, Commissioner Marsh and Commissioner Moog voted no; Commissioner Martin voted yes. Chair Schneck explained his no vote by saying the proposed public‑facing recreation use was inconsistent with the PUD’s original purpose as negotiated. The motion to approve the PUD text modification did not carry.
What happens next: Because the commission denied the change, the PUD text remains as previously adopted. The developer and tenant may pursue other locations or return with a different proposal consistent with the existing PUD language.
