Residents oppose proposed pickleball facility; Poway council asks staff to study noise rules

Several residents raised strong opposition to a proposed pickleball facility during public comment at the April 21 Poway City Council meeting, and a councilmember asked staff to prepare a report on the city's noise ordinance and mitigation tools.

Alison Shamrell, who identified herself as a resident of the Farm community, said she and her neighbors are unanimous in opposing pickleball courts near their homes and played a 40-second audio demonstration of pickleball noise for the council. Shamrell said she understood the current plan discussed in the community would include about 20 courts operating roughly 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and warned the noise could hurt residents' well-being and property values.

James Ambrose and other speakers echoed concerns, saying residents are receiving mixed messages about who is approving work on the parcel and whether approvals have already been granted. Mayor Voss clarified to the audience that no formal plan has been submitted to the city for discussion.

Councilmember deHauf asked staff to prepare a report that describes the city's existing noise ordinance, what it regulates, how modern it is, and what the city can do to mitigate pickleball noise (setbacks, screening, ordinance updates). "I'd like for staff to prepare a report, on what our current noise ordinance actually is, what does it regulate, how modern is that, and what can be done to potentially, regulate or mitigate... the pickleball type noise," the councilmember said. Councilmembers supported preparing the report and one modification asked that the item return after district seating is in place so a full council can consider it.

No formal action on the parcel or a plan was taken at the meeting; the council directed staff to research the noise ordinance and potential options and return with information.