ARC unanimously approves 16‑court pickleball complex near Palm Springs airport

The Palm Springs Architectural Review Committee on April 6 unanimously approved a revised design for a 16‑court commercial pickleball complex proposed by PPUSA LLC at the southwest corner of Avenida Avelita and Airport Center Drive.

Ken, a city planner, told the committee the applicant revised the project following the ARC’s January direction to lower the entry pavilion roof, simplify column design and provide solar/shade studies. The project includes 16 courts, a 1,200‑square‑foot reservations and concessions building, about 55 parking spaces (with EV charging), and a required 10‑foot perimeter play‑court fence.

Architect Mark Stewart, representing the applicant, said the team spent months redesigning the pavilion and roof: “We spent months, literally, looking at all the alternatives to address your concerns, and we think we have.” Stewart described a gently sloping flat roof, full‑height steel columns sized to minimize visual bulk and a consolidated rooftop observation deck for players and spectators.

Members questioned technical details including roof drainage, lighting and acoustical screening. The applicant said the upper roof drains to surface drains behind the building and the lower roof uses internal drains; the design team said they can add a gutter or other detail if plan review identifies a need. On noise mitigation, the applicant said an opaque Acoustifence will be installed along the Ramon frontage and that installations in other locations have survived high winds when attached per manufacturer specifications.

Public speakers urged approval. John Swalboski told the committee, “Pickleball is more than a game. It’s a way of connecting with people,” and several other speakers described the complex as a community amenity.

Member Walsh moved for approval and praised the revised aesthetic and functionality, while asking the applicant to keep a contingency plan (for example a gutter) ready if runoff proves a problem in heavy rains. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote (Castro, Elliott, Roseman, Thomas, Walsh and Chair O’Donnell).

Staff recommended findings under Section 9404 of the City Zoning Code and attached conditions of approval; those conditions and technical details will be finalized in the written resolution and enforced through plan check and building permits. The committee’s approval allows the applicant to proceed to permit review and the applicant will return to plan check for technical compliance (including final ADA and drainage determinations).