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After heated debate on noise, Barrington council approves lights for Kent Street courts and delays decision on hours
Summary
Following extensive public comment on pickleball noise and neighborhood impact, the council voted 3–2 to approve installation of lights at the Kent Street courts and unanimously continued discussion of specific court-hours limits (proposed 8 a.m.–8 p.m.) to the Nov. 4 meeting, directing staff to explore sound-mitigation options.
The Barrington Town Council voted Oct. 7 to approve installation of lights at the Kent Street tennis/pickleball courts, but delayed deciding on specific hours of use after a lengthy public-comment period that split neighbors and players.
Mike Seward (Parks & Rec) and multiple nearby residents warned that pickleball noise is particularly intrusive because of its high-frequency, repetitive nature; they urged earlier cutoffs (6 p.m. or 8 p.m.) and pointed to mixed national experience with mitigation. Players and other residents urged later hours—8 p.m. or later—so working people and students can use the courts.
After debate the council split a compound proposal into two motions. The first motion—to approve installation of lights (quote provided; installation cost to be brought back)—passed 3–2. President Castell and two councilors voted yes; two councilors recorded nay votes. The second motion, to continue consideration of final hours of use (the administration had previously discussed an 8 a.m.–8 p.m. proposal), was passed unanimously; that issue will return to the Nov. 4 meeting. The council also instructed staff to explore sound-mitigation options, such as decibel measurements and barriers, before finalizing hours.
‘‘I have to say the technology now is pretty good that they can be really directional,’’ one councilor said, noting LED sports lights tend to focus on the playing area. Opponents urged the town to prioritize adjacent residents’ right to quiet enjoyment.
The vote to approve lights will allow the town to complete the light-ready infrastructure and next month consider timing and operating rules with additional input and data.
