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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE:09/02/2025 <br />Motion <br />TO: CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM: Pickleball Noise Complaints <br />FROM: Assistant Public Works Director – Adam Swanepoel <br />REVIEWED BY: Public Works Director – Marty Powers <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: <br />City staff have received two complaints over the last four years regarding the noise from pickleball. These <br />complaints came from the areas of Ivywood Park and Pebble Park. Both complaints were from neighboring <br />homes, which are less than the newly recommended 600 Ft set back distance from a court. <br />In 2023, the City Council approved the reconstruction of tennis courts at Pebble and Tablyn Parks to <br />accommodate both tennis and pickleball. At the time of approval, council recommended measuring noise <br />levels to determine the need for a sound barrier. Staff monitored the nose levels from Pebble Park on two <br />separate occasions when the courts were full. The average noise decibel at the property line was between <br />47-53. Current city ordinance restricts noise that exceeds 6 decibels above the ambient noise levels as <br />designated by Minn. R. ch.. 7030 , which is 60 decibels during park hours. <br />ISSUE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL: <br />Does City Council want to make a change to correct pickleball noise complaints? If so what changes are <br />directed? <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />The Lake Elmo Park system has four parks with courts designed for pickleball. Each of these courts fall <br />under the Parks Master Plan recommendation of 600ft. from a residential home. <br />Courts approximate distance from the closest residential property: <br />Lions – 216 Ft <br />Pebble – 184 Ft <br />Tablyn – 297 Ft <br />Ivywood – 120 Ft