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Planning Board approves garage with rooftop pickleball court, requires use of low-noise balls
Summary
The Highland Beach Planning Board on Oct. 9 approved a major modification to construct an 1,800-square-foot detached garage topped by an 1,800-square-foot pickleball court at 2455 South Ocean Boulevard, conditioned on the exclusive use of low-noise balls and paddles.
The Highland Beach Planning Board on Oct. 9 approved a major modification to allow construction of a detached multi-car garage with a rooftop pickleball court at 2455 South Ocean Boulevard, with a condition that only low-noise ("no noise") balls and quiet paddles be used.
Town planner Ingrid Allen presented the application (listed in the record as Development Order PZ25-32455) and described the plans, which call for an 1,800-square-foot detached garage, a 75-square-foot stair structure, and an 1,800-square-foot pickleball court sited above the garage. Allen said the court fence is proposed at 8 feet high; because the town code references tennis court fences (Section 30-68(e)(4)) she compared pickleball fencing to the tennis standard and noted the applicant proposes to conceal street view with a 4-foot masonry planter topped by vegetative screening.
Donald (Don) Durante, the project's architect with Randall Stoft Architects, told the board the owner intends to use quiet paddle and ball equipment and that the landscape plan includes dense plantings and a Confederate jasmine vine to conceal the upper portion of the fence. "We do believe that the landscape plan that was developed, does comply with that," Durante said.
Board members and neighbors discussed the town noise code and enforcement. A board member suggested conditioning approval on the exclusive use of "soft" or low-noise balls, and Durante confirmed the applicant would accept that condition. Town staff noted the town's noise ordinance is largely subjective and enforcement can be difficult, but that a condition attached to the approval would be enforceable as a permit requirement.
Allen said staff had provided the board with the town noise regulation text and found the plans consistent with the town code. The applicant's landscape plans show preserved mature hedges and palms along the frontage, retention of most existing trees and the relocation of one live oak. Proposed screening includes trees and palms between 6 feet and 24 feet in height and a dense 10-to-12-inch-thick vine to conceal the fence.
The board approved the major modification with the stated condition. Roll call recorded Yes votes from Chairperson Mendelson, Vice Chairperson Rosen, Member Bobby, Member David, Member Axelrod and Member Powell.
No other conditions were added in the public record beyond the noise-equipment commitment; staff will require building permits and the applicant must commence construction within two years of Planning Board approval.
