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The Pleasanton Planning Commission is set to consider a resolution Wednesday evening that would give the go-ahead to a resident’s application to install tennis court lights in their backyard.
According to city associate planner Diego Mora, the proposed resolution would uphold the city’s zoning administrator’s decision to approve the design review application for the six, 15-foot-tall lights, which was recently appealed — for a second time — by neighbors who say the lights would create pollution and blight.
“As proposed and conditioned, staff finds the proposed tennis court lighting would not adversely impact the surrounding uses,” Mora wrote in his staff report. “Conditions of Approval have been included as part of Project approval, which will ensure the safety and general welfare of the surrounding area and the City.”
According to Mora, the proposal to install the tennis courts lights dates back to August 2023 when the commission originally reviewed an application related to a partially built tennis court located in the backyard area of 2207 Martin Ave.
The applicant at the time had no immediate plans for lighting but added that they did not want lighting to be prohibited in the future.
While the initial application was ultimately approved, the city required the applicant to submit a separate administrative design review for the installation of lights over 8 feet tall.
Mora said the applicant submitted an initial application for the proposed 15-feet-tall lights in May 2024, but after negative input from surrounding neighbors and a lack of analysis, the commission denied that original application.
“With respect to the lighting, neighbors expressed concerns regarding impacts on homes, the height of the light poles and potential traffic hazards,” Mora wrote in his report. “The Planning Commission determined the lighting impact analysis lacked sufficient detail, making it difficult to assess potential lighting impacts on the neighboring properties.”
However, the commission noted the application denial did not mean the applicant could not install the lights. The commission instead clarified that the applicant could return with more detailed analysis on the impact of the lights, which is what they did this past June when they submitted a second application.
The city’s zoning administrator conducted a public hearing regarding the matter on July 18 and approved the second application to install the lights. Staff further noted that the tennis court lighting is “consistent with general industry standards for residential tennis court lighting”.
However, following the zoning administrator’s approval, residents who live in the vicinity of the proposed project appealed the project.
“During the notice period and at the hearing, neighbors expressed concerns regarding light pollution, visual blight, setting a precedent for future development, the proximity of lights to the adjacent residence to the north, disregard for zoning regulations and the project’s history of unpermitted work relating to the tennis court,” Mora stated in his report.
The commission will now review the application once again and make a determination on whether or not it should uphold the zoning administrator’s decision to approve the installation of the lights.
The Planning Commission meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 10). The full agenda can be accessed here.
