The Cedar Park Planning & Zoning Commission on May 2025 voted 7-0 to recommend denial of a special-use permit (SUP) for nine outdoor pickleball courts proposed at 820 North Vista Ridge Boulevard, a 1.94-acre parcel. Staff had recommended approval with conditions covering lighting and hours of operation; the commission instead recommended denial after extensive public comment and commissioner concern.

Planning staff described the request as a Minor Outdoor Commercial Amusement use for nine outdoor pickleball courts on a property zoned General Business and designated Regional Office/Retail Commercial in the future land use plan. Staff said the applicant proposed dark-sky-friendly lighting, warm-white LEDs, timers and sensors, and restrictions on hours of operation. The staff report noted no written letters in opposition since the prior hearing but referenced one earlier speaker who raised noise concerns.

Adam Hughes, the applicant's representative for Sanlan Services, said the owner proposed the nine courts and had re-notified the nearby Silverado West homeowners association. Hughes and an owner representative said the outdoor courts were intended to serve as an overflow to an existing indoor facility and that the owner preferred to start with the outdoor courts and consider additional amenities later.

More than a dozen residents from adjacent neighborhoods testified in opposition, citing noise, light, traffic and uncertainty about possible future restaurant, alcohol service or amplified/live music. Speakers who identified themselves included John Lux (108 Breakaway Road), Brian Bassett (112 Breakaway Road), David Robertson (2522 Peterson Drive), Jennifer Vance (president, Silverado West HOA), Rachel Hall (2208 Old Sterling Road), Stephanie Schultz, and Brian Papa. Concerns focused on daytime and evening noise from continuous ball strikes (“pop pop pop”), potential amplified music and the loss of tax- and sales-tax-generating development the speakers said could better serve nearby homes.

An assistant city attorney, Jill Hoffman, reminded commissioners that noise is regulated by the city's Code of Ordinances (Article 808) and that noise measurements are taken at the property line with distinct day/night thresholds. Commissioners said they were not satisfied that proposed conditions, including the 4 p.m. start time that had been included in the SUP conditions, adequately addressed residents' concerns; some commissioners said limiting start times to 4 p.m. would unnecessarily curtail a business without guaranteeing neighborhood protection.

After commissioners questioned the applicant and the owner, Commissioner Antel moved to recommend denial and Commissioner Ingram seconded. Roll call recorded ayes from Commissioners Antel, Ingram, Reese, Wernicke, Snead, Bradford Brown and the chair; the motion carried 7-0.

The commission's denial is a recommendation to City Council; the council will consider the SUP when it meets on the item on its schedule.