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Bedford commission approves outdoor seating at McKay’s, rejects proposed pickleball courts
Summary
The Bedford Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 12 approved a specific-use permit allowing existing outdoor seating at 2208 Central Drive with a condition for evergreen vegetative screening, and denied the proposed outdoor amusement (pickleball courts) after commissioners raised concerns about slope, orientation and the applicant’s absence.
The Bedford Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 approved a specific-use permit to allow existing outdoor seating at McKay’s restaurant, 2208 Central Drive, and rejected a companion request for outdoor amusement — a proposed set of pickleball courts.
Commissioner Jacobson moved to approve the outdoor seating and disapprove the recreational portion; Commissioner Mike Ingraham seconded the motion, which the chair put to a voice/hand vote and declared carried. The approval was conditioned on the installation of evergreen vegetative screening around the seating area and explicitly disallowed outdoor amusement (the pickleball courts) as part of this permit.
Wes, city planning staff, told the commission that the outdoor seating area already exists and that the proposed pickleball courts would occupy existing parking on the east side of the property. Staff said the site plan complies with zoning, TABC requirements for the seating fence are met, and that 15 adjacent property owners had been notified with no responses. Staff also summarized operating hours presented in the report (generally 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekend days and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday–Thursday).
"The proposed site for the pickleball courts has got an incline of approximately 4 feet from the proposed beginning of the courts to the end," said Commissioner Jacobson, who identified himself as a pickleball player. "You construct them north–south so you're not looking into the setting or the rising sun," he added, saying the east–west orientation in the plan would be unsuitable for play. Jacobson also urged stronger fencing (he cited a 10-foot fence as a common standard), controlled access and lighting to prevent loitering if courts were installed.
Other commissioners pressed procedural and substantive questions. Commissioner Roger Galenstein said applicants should normally attend to answer questions; staff advised the commission that land-use decisions can proceed on the application even if applicants are absent and that engineering questions (grading, drainage) are typically resolved during permitting. Several commissioners said that, with the information in hand, they were not prepared to approve the pickleball courts as shown.
During discussion, staff noted some technical concerns had been raised by the city engineer but said those details are addressed at the permitting stage. Commissioners who were inclined to approve the land use nonetheless emphasized they wanted clearer elevation or grading information if pickleball courts were to be reconsidered.
The motion that passed approved only the outdoor seating with the condition of vegetative screening and denied the outdoor amusement/pickleball request. Staff noted the applicant remains free to return with revised plans and additional detail for future consideration.
Wes closed the business portion of the meeting with a brief update on other planning items and the zoning ordinance process; the commission adjourned at about 6:30 p.m.
Notes: the transcript records hands raised in favor of the seating motion; the record in the transcript does not include a roll-call vote tally by name.
