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Shakopee board approves Drop Shot Pickleball permit with acoustic-fencing condition
Summary
The Shakopee Board of Adjustment and Appeals approved a conditional use permit May 7 allowing Drop Shot Pickleball to add up to four outdoor courts and a patio at 1100 Shakopee Town Square, conditioned on acoustic-deadening fencing on the north and east sides and other site improvements.
The Shakopee Board of Adjustment and Appeals on May 7 approved a conditional use permit allowing Drop Shot Pickleball to install up to four outdoor pickleball courts and an outdoor patio at tenant space 1100 Shakopee Town Square, provided the applicant installs acoustic-deadening fencing on the north and east sides of the courts.
City staff presented the plan and told commissioners the proposal meets required criteria if conditions in the draft resolution are met, including compliance with city code section 151.007(k)(14), sidewalk and trail connections, and site landscaping. Staff described each court as 64 by 30 feet, an 8-foot black-coated chain-link perimeter fence fitted with a 90% opaque privacy wind screen, bollards at corners, and lighting oriented inward. Staff recommended approval subject to those conditions.
Applicant Justin Henrack, who operates Drop Shot Pickleball, said the courts would link to the indoor facility and use an existing loading-dock area for a deck and party-room egress. Henrack said courts would be accessible both from inside the building and via a coded gate system used by his reservation software (CourtReserve). "We are looking for them to be open till 10," Henrack said, adding that lights would be mounted on the building and aimed inward with blockers on the sides to limit light spill.
Several nearby residents urged the board to require stricter mitigation. Rachel Dube, who said her backyard is directly adjacent to the proposed deck, argued the courts are too close to homes and raised concerns about privacy, light pollution, construction of food and beverage service and, most persistently, noise. "Pickleball produces a sharp repetitive impact noise at 70 decibels on average," Dube said, and said earlier research and litigation in other cities show noise complaints can persist after installation. She asked whether site-specific noise modeling or post-construction assessment would be required and whether additional mitigation (acoustic fencing, orientation, different surfacing) had been fully evaluated.
Staff and commissioners explained Shakopee measures sound from the property line and cited daytime limits; staff noted available acoustic fencing products and said conditions could require more insulated screening on the sides facing residences. Neighbors also raised questions about bus access for nearby Takata Learning Center and the potential for spillover parking; staff and the applicant said the back access road is private but that maintaining bus access would be required.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve Resolution PC 2026-011 (approving the conditional use permit) with a condition that the applicant install acoustic-deadening fencing on the north and east sides of the courts. The motion carried on a roll-call vote with commissioners voting aye. The board noted that final permit issuance will require the applicant to provide sign permits, a survey for sign/feature locations, and any required encroachment agreements and permits.
The board’s action authorizes the use with conditions; the resolution and site permits will be finalized in paperwork following the meeting. The applicant and staff said they are willing to investigate acoustic fencing products and other mitigation measures the board may require.
