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Residents say planned pickleball complex would bring noise, traffic and legal risk to historic neighborhood
Summary
At a Cheraw Town Council meeting residents warned that a proposed 12-court pickleball complex near a historic residential area would create sustained noise, traffic and potential property-value losses, and urged the council to reconsider the site and consult the town attorney before proceeding.
Residents pressed the Cheraw Town Council on a proposed pickleball complex, saying the courts would harm a nearby historic neighborhood and could trigger litigation.
Doug Thompson, a resident, told the council that courts placed in a residential area produce a high-frequency "percussive pop" and reported figures he said show pickleball activity reaching 70–85 decibels. "The constant popping ... is borderline torture," Thompson said, adding that he had found multiple lawsuits and complaints against municipalities that allowed large court installations near homes.
Janet Caran and other speakers framed the concern as both a nuisance and a transparency issue. Caran cited the South Carolina Code of Laws Title 30 (the state Freedom of Information provisions) and said agendas and related information had not always been posted prior to July 2023, arguing that neighbors were not being properly informed before decisions affecting their properties were advanced.
Don Coker and Robin Holland described fearing diminished property values and increased traffic and lighting in their historic neighborhood. Holland said her home sits less than 100 feet from the proposed site and asked council members to imagine living there: "Imagine big lights shining in your windows making your quiet time miserable," she said.
Residents repeatedly asked whether the town attorney reviewed the project and whether the town had considered relocating courts to a less residential area. When one resident asked the council to discuss legal exposure, a council official declined to answer at the meeting and suggested taking the matter up outside the public session.
Council did not announce a decision on the location during the meeting. The concerns raised focused on noise levels, traffic and parking, lighting, effects on historic properties, and legal liability; residents said they want earlier and clearer neighbor engagement if the project advances.
