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Planning Commission approves pickleball facility at 2758 South Westlake Drive
Summary
The Syracuse Planning Commission approved a site plan for a 3.096-acre indoor pickleball facility at 2758 South Westlake Drive, finding the submittal met city code and that staff comments had been addressed; the project will need building-permit review for any future signage.
The Syracuse Planning Commission on Jan. 6 approved a site plan by Charles Osmond for a multi‑court indoor pickleball facility at approximately 2758 South Westlake Drive.
Planning staff told the commission the proposal meets city requirements and that "all staff comments have been addressed," and recommended approval. The proposed site is about 3.096 acres in the GC (General Commercial) zone and includes landscaping and buffering along the south edge adjacent to a planned single‑family subdivision and a sound wall along the west side facing the West Davis Corridor.
The commission asked staff about signage and parking design. Staff said the submittal did not include separate freeway‑facing signage; any future freestanding or larger signs would be reviewed with the building permit and would need to comply with the city code. On landscaping, staff said general commercial sites must provide 15% of the site area in landscaped space, and that requirements to break large parking fields into landscaped islands generally apply to very large retail developments, not to this project’s scale.
Resident Shane Croton, speaking during public comment, supported the project but urged the commission and staff to consider requiring landscape islands and protection around parking‑lot light poles so poles are less likely to be struck by vehicles. "I think this is a fun addition to the city," Croton said, also recommending the city consider an ordinance change so the practice would apply to other commercial developments. Staff responded the specific buffer around pole lights is not currently required for a development of this size but noted the suggestion for future consideration.
Commissioners also raised access concerns. Staff and others said the applicant will provide temporary access if needed while neighboring parcels develop and that the building will be fully sprinklered, reducing immediate fire‑safety concerns.
Chairman moved to approve the site plan; the motion received a second and passed on a voice vote. The commission’s approval clears the way for the applicant to proceed toward building permits and coordination with the adjacent residential subdivision on buffer installation and access timing.
Next steps noted by staff include review of any separate signage with the building‑permit submittal and coordination on the temporary access configuration until surrounding roads are completed.
