To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR MARC WEINER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE INSTALLATION OF PICKLEBALL COURTS AT ALTA VISTA PARK AND APPROVAL OF A CEQA EXEMPTION DECLARATION FOR THE PROJECT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At its regular meeting on July 16, 2024, the City Council discussed community interest in the potential installation of pickleball courts at Alta Vista Park. Following public comment and Council discussion, staff was directed to further evaluate the courts’ potential noise impacts through the completion of a Noise Impact Study, and to return with a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determination prior to making a final decision on the courts’ installation.
To support this effort, the City retained Yorke Engineering to conduct a comprehensive Noise Impact Study evaluating ambient and projected noise levels resulting from proposed pickleball play at two candidate court locations in the park. In addition, Community Development staff prepared a CEQA Exemption Declaration in accordance with applicable guidelines. The study concluded that converting one or both of the existing tennis courts into pickleball courts would not result in any significant noise impacts. Specifically, the modeled and measured increases in noise levels at the nearest residential properties were well below thresholds for both perceptibility and regulatory concern.
As a result, staff is recommending that the City Council proceed with the conversion of one tennis court to four pickleball courts at Alta Vista Park and determine that the Project is exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guidelines Section 15301, as documented in the Exemption Declaration and supported by the noise study. Additionally, staff is seeking direction on whether to implement noise dampening measures around the pickleball courts as part of the Project.
BACKGROUND
Following Council direction on July 16, 2024, the City initiated a Noise Impact Study to objectively evaluate potential impacts associated with converting existing tennis courts into dedicated pickleball courts at Alta Vista Park. This step was taken in response to both growing community interest in the sport and the need to understand whether such a conversion could result in adverse effects on nearby residential properties.
To carry out this assessment, the City contracted with Yorke Engineering, LLC. The firm was tasked with evaluating potential noise impacts by measuring both baseline ambient conditions and noise levels generated by actual pickleball play. In partnership with community pickleball players, staff coordinated the scheduling of 20-minute continuous play sessions at each of the two candidate court locations. Yorke conducted multiple short-term measurements during these play sessions, as well as a 24-hour long-term measurement at the nearest residential receptor. These measurements were then used in conjunction with acoustical modeling software to simulate projected noise levels at surrounding properties.
The study specifically analyzed whether measured and modeled noise levels would exceed limits established by the Redondo Beach Municipal Code (RBMC) Section 4-24.301. The results demonstrated that the proposed pickleball activities would not violate these limits. Increases in noise exposure at surrounding residences were found to range from 0.0 to 0.7 dBA - levels that are below the threshold of human perceptibility and far below the minimum 3 dBA change generally considered noticeable in outdoor environments. The study concluded that no significant noise impacts would result from the project and that no noise mitigation measures are required to achieve compliance.
Based on these findings, Community Development Department staff prepared a CEQA Exemption Declaration pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). The exemption is appropriate given that the Project involves only minor alterations to an existing recreational facility and does not present the potential for significant environmental impacts. The site is also not located within a sensitive resource area, hazardous zone, or any other context that would otherwise preclude a categorical exemption.
At this time, staff is requesting that the City Council receive and file the Noise Impact Study, determine that the Project is exempt from CEQA as described in the CEQA Exemption Declaration, and authorize staff to proceed with the proposed installation of pickleball courts at Alta Vista Park.
COORDINATION
The Noise Impact Study, CEQA determination, and the staff report were coordinated by the Community Services and Community Development Departments.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for the Noise Impact Study, the installation of pickleball courts and the installation of noise dampening measures were included in the CIP Budget - Alta Vista Park Pickleball Court project account.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Yorke Engineering, LLC, April 15, 2025
• CEQA Exemption Declaration
• Noise Impact Study Report