Architectural panel sends 16‑court Palm Springs pickleball complex back for redesign

The Palm Springs Architectural Committee on Jan. 21 voted unanimously to send a proposed 16‑court commercial pickleball complex back to the applicant for redesign, asking for changes to the building massing, roof pitch and several design details. Member Walsh moved for restudy; the motion carried on a roll‑call vote with all seven members present voting yes.

The proposal, presented by city planner Ken Lion, would place a private, owner‑operated 16‑court pickleball club on a roughly 1.78‑acre parcel south of the airport. The project includes a 12,200‑square‑foot clubhouse with concession and reservation areas, 10‑foot perimeter fencing, court lighting, on‑site prepackaged food sales, and 55 proposed off‑street parking spaces. Lion said Planning Commission had already approved the underlying conditional use permit and recommended the Architectural Committee review the major architectural application, including an administrative minor modification (AMM) to permit a reduced parking count.

Why the committee returned it: members praised the concept but repeatedly flagged the large hipped “hat” canopy over the concession building and an oversized entry pavilion that some said overwhelms the clubhouse. Member Dylan and others described the entry as disproportionate; several commissioners asked for lower roof pitch, additional sun/shade studies for the west‑facing facades and clearer, unified detailing of vertical supports. Concerns about parking and site circulation were raised; staff noted parking ratios and AMM procedures are also addressed through the Planning Commission process.

Developer Cliff T, who identified himself as the project owner and a Palm Springs resident, and architect Mark Stewart described a high‑end “club” aesthetic, the use of colored/pigmented concrete for bay parking, and acoustical fencing (referred to in the record as “Acousta”/“Acoustence”) on the Raone Road frontage as a noise‑mitigation measure. The applicant said the project would operate by membership with day passes, run from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and staff the site with three to four employees per shift. “I love pickle ball. I think there should be more access to it in Palm Springs,” the developer said.

The committee’s restudy direction (summarized in the motion) asked the applicant to: lower or re‑evaluate the height and pitch of the canopy/roof and consider a Bermuda/flattened hip treatment; provide sun/shade studies demonstrating effectiveness of the proposed canopy for late‑afternoon western sun; unify the design and dimensions of vertical support columns so the roof language reads consistently; simplify and clarify the south elevation (including consideration of moving restroom doors away from the main facade); and provide installed‑photo documentation and fastening details for the proposed acoustical fence and its connections. The committee added a friendly amendment limiting the bottom of the entry fascia to a maximum height of 12 feet.

The committee recorded its motion and sent the application back with staff to work with the applicant; Lion said staff would coordinate the requested materials and studies ahead of a return hearing. The Planning Commission had previously reviewed the project and conditioned approval on standard items such as perimeter landscaping and airport compatibility conditions.

Next steps: the applicant will revise the designs and provide the requested sun studies, material‑connection details and facade adjustments for ARC review; larger parking and AMM approval remain part of the code process through planning staff and the Planning Commission.