ZBA approves variance for pickleball lessons at 714 Willow with limits on participants

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance that will allow an accessory structure at 714 Willow to be used for limited pickleball instruction.

Applicant Scott Frazier told the board he built the barn for family recreation and has converted part of it to an indoor court. “This isn’t looking to be, you know, moved as a full time job,” Frazier said, adding he expects one to two lessons a week at most and that instruction will be appointment-only. Planning staff explained home-occupation rules require activities to occur in a primary residence; because the facility is in an accessory structure, a variance and subsequent planning-commission review are required.

Neighbors raised concerns about commercial activity in a residential area and potential parking and noise impacts. Donna Dracy, who lives across the street, said she and other neighbors “would like to see the residential part of our neighborhood kept that way.” Board members pressed the applicant on parking and winter access and discussed whether limiting the number of students and instructors would reduce community impacts.

After discussion the board voted to approve the variance with conditions that limit participation to a small number of students per session and require compliance with existing city hours (the staff packet described the city’s daytime hours as 7 a.m.–9 p.m.). The applicant said he had already adjusted the lot so cars could park on-site and that most sessions would involve one or two students.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed to the planning commission for any special-use permit required for a home occupation operating in the R-1 zoning district.