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Lake Elmo limits pickleball hours, orders noise-mitigation study after neighbors’ complaints
Summary
Following months of resident complaints about noise and lights at neighborhood pickleball courts, the council set operating hours, banned lights for pickleball and directed staff to study and implement noise‑mitigation measures including vegetation and absorbent materials.
Lake Elmo’s City Council voted on Sept. 2 to limit pickleball hours, turn off court lights for pickleball and direct staff to pursue noise‑mitigation measures at Pebble Park after multiple residents said the sport’s percussive noise and evening lighting have substantially affected adjacent homes.
The council adopted a motion setting operating hours at all city pickleball sites from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., prohibiting lights for pickleball, directing immediate removal of the Pebble Park practice wall and asking staff to research sound‑absorbing materials and vegetation options for Pebble Park. Council also directed communications and updated reservation guidance to notify users of the changes.
City parks staff said they measured average ambient noise levels at Pebble Park between roughly 47 and 53 decibels at the property line during busy periods and noted current city ordinance standards permit up to 60 decibels during park hours under Minnesota statute references. “Staff is not recommending a noise barrier of any of these sites, as the current noise levels have not exceeded the current city ordinances,” the staff report said. The city’s 2024 parks master plan recommends a 600‑foot setback for courts from residences; the courts at issue are 184 to about 297 feet from nearby homes, staff said.
Residents and players gave extended testimony. Paul Boltman, who lives near Pebble Park, told the council the repeated “pop” of paddles causes stress: “This is a public health issue,” he said. John Howley, who lives roughly 30 feet from Pebble Park, said the combination of shouting, portable music and lights has disrupted sleep; he said he hears players and “the screaming” inside his home.
Jennifer Waters, a coordinator for the Lake Elmo Pickleball group, said the organized player groups aim to self‑manage behavior: “We don’t charge a membership. We welcome new people who wanna play, and we don’t put chairs on the courts because that damages them,” she told the council. Waters said the parks master-plan recommendation for 600 feet was issued after construction of the courts.
Council discussion considered several mitigation options: limiting hours, removing or relocating courts to a location meeting the 600‑foot recommendation (staff said Sunfish Lake Park has locations that could meet 600 feet), installing either diffuser panels or absorbent fence materials, vegetation and signage, and voluntary equipment changes (softer balls/paddles), which council members said have low enforcement viability.
Staff estimates cited earlier materials costs: an initial $35,000 figure for barrier work discussed in a prior meeting and a previously discussed $40,000 sound-blanket option. Consultants and public commenters noted many absorptive or vinyl products have limited service life (roughly five to 10 years). Council instructed staff to bring back recommendations and cost estimates and to coordinate communications and enforcement strategy with sheriff’s deputies.
The final motion was made, seconded, and passed by voice vote; council members said they would revisit hours and mitigation if installed measures prove effective.
