Lynchburg council approves conditional use permit for indoor pickleball club at 3200 Carroll Avenue

The Lynchburg City Council approved a conditional use permit Wednesday to allow an existing 6,600-square-foot structure at 3200 Carroll Avenue to be used as an indoor pickleball athletic club.

City planner Rachel Frieseisen told the council the property is in an I-2 light industrial district and that athletic clubs are permitted with council approval; the planning commission recommended the petition. "The use of the structure as a pickleball club should have limited impact on the surrounding area," Frieseisen said during the presentation.

During public comment, nearby property owner Todd Hall urged denial, arguing the development has already removed buffering vegetation and warning of potential light spill, amplified sound from indoor courts and increased traffic if the site operates around the clock. "Without site briefing standards and operational limits, increased noise is going to adversely affect the residents' quality of life," Hall said.

The petitioner, represented by Norm Waltton of Perkinson Orson, said the courts will be inside the building, that the structure will be insulated and that the project team will submit a lighting plan to meet the city's ordinance. "We will provide any screening as required by the zoning ordinance. We'll provide a lighting plan as required by the zoning ordinance, which will, of course, be reviewed and approved by staff," Waltton said.

Councilors asked about staffing and noise controls; the petitioner said the facility will use key-code access and provide emergency contact procedures for members. City staff will review the proffered lighting plan and ensure compliance with the city's lighting ordinance.

Council approved the CUP by motion; the clerk announced the motion passed "6 with 1 absent."