A proposed indoor pickleball facility in St. Johns County is moving forward.
The county Planning and Zoning Agency unanimously recommended approval June 26 for a special use permit for the project in Rolling Hills Industrial Park at 6480 U.S. 1. The permit would allow indoor commercial recreation use in an industrial, warehousing zoning district.
A 7,000-square-foot facility would be constructed with 25 parking spaces.
According to the project application, it would operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be no outdoor activities.
An existing stormwater pond would be reconstructed to meet design requirements.
Neighboring businesses include Kings Head British Pub, Bug Out Pest Control Services, Blingle Premier Lighting and First Coast Medical & Dental Supply.
Property records show three existing warehouse buildings on the 1.93-acre site. It is owned by Mueller International Property Agents Corp. of St. Petersburg through 2685 Rolling Hills LLC.
Jacksonville-based Baker Design Group is the civil engineer. The law firm Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow PLLC represents the project.
Three speakers opposed the proposal, citing concerns about traffic, noise and safety. One referred to the sport’s players as the “pickle Mafia.”
The Planning and Zoning Agency serves in an advisory role to the Board of County Commissioners on matters related to land use planning, zoning, comprehensive plan amendments, land development regulation amendments and major modifications to planned unit developments.
The project will go before the commission at an upcoming meeting.
There are 12 pickleball locations in the county, according to GlobalPickleball.Network. The closest to the proposed facility is about 3 miles north at 625 Palencia Club Drive.