The Indian River County Commission approved a special exception use and Phase 1 site plan on August 4 for the renovation and expansion of the Westside Racquet Club, a 1970s-era facility in Vero Beach that has fallen into disrepair in recent years. The 6.89-acre property is located east of 43rd Avenue Southwest, north of 6th Lane Southwest and south of Fifth Place Southwest.
Phase 1 of the project will restore the existing eight tennis courts, construct four new padel courts and construct associated site improvements including utilities, stormwater, parking and landscaping. The existing 2,400-square-foot clubhouse will be restored in Phase 2, which will also add two padel courts. Phase 3 will include a pool house and four pickleball courts, while Phase 4 will add two additional tennis courts. The Planning Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval on June 11 but added a special condition due to concerns about potential noise pollution and light infiltration onto adjacent properties.
Vice-Chairwoman Laura Moss expressed concerns about voting on the special exception use that would cover all four phases while only approving the Phase 1 site plan, saying commissioners were being asked to vote in the blind. She also raised concerns about pickleball noise and lighting impacts on neighboring residents. Planning Development Services Director John Stoll said the county can require traffic studies once the project exceeds 400 average daily trips and can implement noise mitigation measures including limiting nighttime lighting and operational hours, requiring special paddles and balls, and increasing separation from neighbors.
District 3 Commissioner Joseph Earman pointed out the continuity of use on the parcel and said he had heard from residents who think the improvements will add value to their property. Mark Jaffe, a 4th Lane Southwest resident, was the only public speaker and said he would like to see the project move forward. The County Commission voted unanimously to approve the requests.