Planning commission finds county pickleball-distance rule inconsistent with plan in 5–1 vote

The Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission voted 5–1 on Nov. 10 to find a proposed land-development text amendment that would require new pickleball courts to be at least 250 feet from residential building envelopes inconsistent with the county comprehensive plan.

The amendment (LDC 25-14-35) would require a conditional-use zoning permit for new construction or conversions to pickleball courts, deem existing courts legal nonconforming and set a minimum separation distance of 250 feet between courts and nearby residences. Israel Monsanto of Development Services told the commission the measure is intended to mitigate noise impacts and would place review under code part 6.11.

Commissioner Gina Seeben moved to find the amendment inconsistent with policy 4.1.0.2, citing concerns that it may conflict with Senate Bill 180. Commissioner Jamieson seconded. A roll-call vote was recorded with five votes in favor and one opposed; the chair announced the motion carried 5 to 1.

Commissioners asked staff how the 250-foot number was selected and whether noise studies supported it. Staff said the county attorney’s office reviewed distance rules used by other jurisdictions and that no site-specific acoustic study accompanied the proposal. "We used that distance requirement as proposed by the county commissioners," staff said, adding there was no formal noise measurement study in the packet.

Several commissioners pressed for more data. Commissioner Bowden raised the possibility that topography could make a given setback inadequate in a valley, and Commissioner Lauck asked why the county was creating a new standard rather than relying on existing setback and buffer regulations. Staff replied that the proposed new standard would fill a gap because the code does not currently regulate setbacks specifically for this type of recreational facility.

The transcript records a roll-call sequence with individual votes read aloud and a separate line stating, "Motion carried 5 to 1. Commissioner Kugler voted no." The transcript also includes an earlier line that appears to record a different commissioner as voting "no"; the record contains inconsistent name references in the roll call. The commission’s final tabulation recorded a single dissenting vote.

The commission’s finding is a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners, which will take the final action at a subsequent public hearing. The staff presentation noted that existing pickleball courts built prior to Sept. 17, 2025, would be deemed legal nonconforming and subject to a legal nonconforming-use review if modified.