Hello Neighbor

We encourage you to sign a petition that will request our Genesee Foundation Board of Directors evaluate the possibility that increased use of the Vista Court for pickleball has created a nuisance or caused unreasonable disturbance or annoyance to nearby residents. Once they have completed a study, we request that they provide solutions to the issues we feel certain they will find. The most positive outcome would be to move pickleball to the Solitude court, where it will be less impactful to Genesee residents overall.

Background information

In recent months pickleball has been removed from Congress Park in Denver because of noise violations. The noise levels at that court were tested and found to be over 70 decibels (dBA). Likewise, the Centennial City Council voted to instate a six-month moratorium for all pickleball court construction within 500 feet of any residence or area zoned as residential over noise concerns.

Pickleball is inherently louder than tennis.

More people play pickleball at one time than tennis. It is common to have up to 20 people on the Vista courts at once.

The racquets and balls make more noise than tennis racquets and balls.

Several pickleball websites and articles indicate that 70 decibels (dBA) is a common sound level associated with pickleball. This is equivalent to the sound of a freeway.

Although Genesee HOA Covenants do not specify a decibel level that residents need to abide by, Jefferson County regulations suggest daytime noise levels from non-vehicular sources be no more than 55 dBA from 7am to 7pm and 50 dBA after 7pm. This is to be measured 25' from a property line. The closest lot is 40 feet away from the Vista court.

The Jefferson County regulations further indicate that periodic or repetitive, impulsive or shrill noises are further restricted. These noises are limited to 50 dBA from 7am to 7pm and 45 dBA from 7pm to 7am. Impulsive noises are those that are either a single pressure peak or a single burst that has a duration of less than one second, like a pickleball ball hitting a paddle.

Section 3 of the Genesee Covenants regarding General and Special Common Properties states: No noxious or offensive activity shall be carried on at any of the General or Special Common Properties, nor shall anything be done or placed therein which may be or become a nuisance or cause unreasonable embarrassment, disturbance or annoyance to Owners in the enjoyment of their Lots or the General or Special Common Properties.

We request that the Board of Directors consider whether the use of the Vista courts has become a nuisance, has caused unreasonable disturbance or annoyance to nearby residents, or is a violation of Jefferson County regulations.

Potential Solutions

Genesee is home to not one but two tennis courts. The Vista Courts have 43 homes within 500 feet of the court. The closest home is a mere 50 feet away from the court. The Solitude Courts have two homes within 500 feet, the closest of which is 380 feet away. The impact created by using the Vista courts is significantly greater than if the Solitude courts were used.

If pickleball is not moved to the Solitude courts, at a minimum the following changes must be made as soon as possible at all Genesee courts.

• The use schedule should be aligned with the pool hours, closing at 7 pm.
• Limiting pickleball to certain days of the week.
• Noise dampening paddles should be required.
• Animals should not be allowed on the courts.
• Speakers/music should not be allowed on the courts.

Regarding the closure of the Congress Park Pickleball courts this quote was in an article “I know playing pickleball is one of those things that provides a nice thing for quality of life, but something you enjoy should not negatively impact others in a manner that is just overwhelming,” says Scott Gilmore, deputy executive director of Parks & Recreation.” This encompasses the intent of our request to have the Board of Directors evaluate the use of the Vista Courts, there is a way to allow Genesee residents to exercise and have fun that will be less impactful to the nearby residents.

We would love to have your name on our request to the Genesee Foundation Board of Directors to review the impacts of pickleball at the Vista Clubhouse to nearby homes. Please sign this petition! If you prefer to reach out to the board yourself and share your comments you may do so by emailing them at board@geneseefoundation.org.

Thank you for your time and consideration