The city of Leawood is looking into amending its policy for sports courts on residential property, following some recent noise complaints.

Driving the news: At Tuesday’s meeting, the Leawood City Council received an update from City Planning Director Mark Klein about what a revised sports court code could look like.

What’s currently allowed: Before installing a sports court, residents must acquire a building permit.

• Sports courts, including tennis and pickleball courts, with lighting require a special use permit, which can be acquired through the Leawood Planning Commission’s recommendation and the city council’s approval.
• Sports courts without lighting merely need approval from the city’s planning director.
• All private sports courts must be limited to side and rear yards, with appropriate screening and a minimum distance of 10 feet from the property lines.
• Court lighting must also be limited to between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Proposed changes: Klein said the city is considering cutting back the permitted hours for court lighting by two hours, which means court lighting would be permitted between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

• The minimum distance from property lines may also go up to 20 feet from the adjacent side or rear property lines.
• The city is also considering a size maximum of 5% of the lot area, and a 6-foot screening of evergreen landscaping.

Why this matters now: These proposed changes follow discussion earlier this year on the topic, after some residents voiced complaints about noise coming from a backyard pickleball court.

• Klein said there is currently at least one upcoming request for a new residential sports court, which will come before the Planning Commission on Sept. 27.

What’s next for Leawood sports courts discussion

Since this was a report item, no final action was taken at Tuesday’s meeting.

• Action items around the updated sports courts code may come before the council at a later meeting.