Planning Commission Greenlights New Auto Shop
Chardon’s plan to convert its school district’s old tennis courts into pickleball courts has sparked some discussion, with the Chardon Planning Commission noting a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out during its March 24 meeting.
Chardon’s plan to convert its school district’s old tennis courts into pickleball courts has sparked some discussion, with the Chardon Planning Commission noting a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out during its March 24 meeting.
While Chardon City Council approved an agreement with Chardon Schools in January, city law requires the commission to review and comment on any public recreation improvements, City Manager Ben Young explained. He noted the commission cannot approve or deny the project.
“As you may have seen, the city has partnered with the school district to bring some more permanent pickleball courts to the community,” he said. “Previously, the city was going to build some pickleball courts, but then with the school district getting a donation for their new tennis courts, an opportunity opened up to repurpose their old tennis courts.”
The project involves minimal changes to existing courts, requiring no fence, pavement or lighting modifications, Young said.
“It is literally washing the current lines off the court and re-lining the existing court,” he said. “They believe they can fit six pickleball courts because the space that is there for the two tennis courts has a lot of width around the outside for people to hit tennis balls far off into the fence. People tend not to hit pickleballs as far off into the fence.”
The final layout would include one tennis court and six pickleball courts, he added.
Lighting and noise were the main concerns discussed. The current lighting system allows users to set a timer, but it does not function properly, commission member Lene Hill said.
“I would say there would need to be a path if it’s not working that there’s someone you can call and make sure that message gets to the right people because currently, that doesn’t happen,” she said.
Commission Vice-Chair Mary Jo Stark expressed concern that someone might want to practice late at night and may turn the lights on. Multiple members supported having the lights automatically shut off after a certain time.
Noise was also a worry.
“I mean, we can hear the tennis balls now. It’s a thump. It doesn’t bother us,” Stark said. “I’m concerned about the pickleball noise being different.”
Stark asked who would handle complaints if the noise becomes a problem.
Young said the courts are the property of the school district.
Hill added she has had difficulty contacting the school in the past regarding broken lights.
Ultimately, the commission recommended operating hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with lights shutting off at 10 p.m., and suggested the city monitor any noise complaints and advise the property owners.
Young said residents can contact the city recreation department at any time with concerns.
New Auto Shop Approved
In other business, the commission approved the final development plan for a new Conrad’s Automotive motor vehicle service station at 240 Meadowlands Drive.
The 6,500-square-foot, single-story building will include a waiting area, office space and service bays, said Community Development Administrator Jonathan Holody.
“The applicant does indicate that all service activity will occur inside the building and no painting, bodywork or odor-producing processes will take place,” he added.
Although the site sits at a signalized intersection, City Engineer Doug Courtney said the new driveway would have minimal impact.
“I don’t believe it will have much impact at all. The intersection signalization is already set up to accept development on this site,” he said. “Traffic equipment easements exist on the site for that purpose.”
City Architect Dominic Durante had flagged some concerns about the design, including the potential use of mirrored or reflective glass and bright primary colors, chair Andrew Blackley noted.
Karl Johnson, representing developer Amprop Development, said the final plans now include colonial red brick to match the surrounding area and clear windows.
The commission voted to approve the development plan, contingent on final plans complying with the city engineer’s and architect’s comments.
