Shakopee City Council — Transcript
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Conditional Use Permit for Outdoor Pickleball Courts
Conditional Use Permit for Exterior Storage
Additional Signage for Canterbury Park
Amendment to Entertainment Overlay District
Votes (4)
Conditional Use Permit for Commercial Recreation Minor Use (Outdoor Pickleball Courts and Patio) at 1100 Shakopee Town Square
Dissent: Residents Rachel Dubey, Michael Golmer, and Kyle Dubey voiced strong opposition during the public hearing.
Moved by Commissioner Forsyth [1:16:47] · Seconded by Commissioner Weiler [1:16:50]
The applicant, Drop Shot Pickleball, sought a CUP for four outdoor pickleball courts and an outdoor patio, noting the positive impact they've had on the previously vacant mall space. Residents living immediately adjacent voiced strong opposition, citing concerns about noise pollution (pickleball's 70-80 dB impact sound), light spill, loss of privacy, increased foot traffic, and potential for future alcohol sales and music near a school. City staff clarified the B1 zoning allows for diverse commercial uses and current city noise ordinances. The applicant agreed to potential acoustic fencing and adjusted operating hours (7 AM start instead of 6 AM) to mitigate concerns.
Conditional Use Permit for Exterior Storage at 1555 Morris Street for Biffs
Moved by Commissioner Forsyth [1:26:54] · Seconded by Commissioner Weiler [1:27:00]
The Board considered a CUP for Biffs to store portable toilets on their property. This item was a re-evaluation following the revocation of a previous site-wide CUP due to issues with another tenant. City staff and the property landlord (Eugene Hanson) emphasized the new permit's conditions, which tie the storage rights specifically to the tenant of suite three, preventing similar problems in the future. Conditions also restrict unlicensed vehicles and mandate interior service work.
Public Hearing on a Request for Additional Signage for Canterbury Park
Moved by Commissioner Vanderveen [1:38:23] · Seconded by Commissioner Weiler [1:38:27]
Canterbury Park sought approval for five new permanent exterior signs, including a digital message board and directional signs, to enhance navigation for visitors. Staff noted the signs are designed to integrate well with the site and help manage traffic flow, especially with the multiple entertainment venues. The freestanding sign in a stormwater pond area will include necessary engineering for drainage. Commissioners generally supported the initiative, recognizing its benefit for traffic management.
Public Hearing Ordinance O 2026-013 Amending the Entertainment Overlay District
Moved by Commissioner Sandhu [1:42:04] · Seconded by Commissioner Redding [1:42:07]
The Planning Commission discussed an ordinance to expand the entertainment overlay district to include seven additional properties at Canterbury Park. The goal of this expansion is to provide increased flexibility in signage and operating hours across a larger contiguous area, streamlining future development and reducing the need for individual approvals for each parcel. The ordinance is a recommendation to the City Council.
Notable Quotes (6)
our current plan is to have it shut down at 10:00. Um so, there would be nothing for sure after that, but I mean, right now, if we were to plan on having some type of a you know, a band or a music, it would be like in if a band, it would be guys sitting on a chair playing a guitar. It wouldn't, you know, be anything crazy.
Pickleball produces a sharp repetitive impact noise at 70 decibels on average. That is fundamentally different than typical park sounds and it carries very well. Communities nationwide including here in Minnesota, Maple Grove in 2025 are dealing with complaints and court hearings and lawsuits based on courts that were placed too close to homes.
This is a B1 zone, which as you heard it's a laundry list of things that could go here. Car wash, fast food restaurant. I mean, it's a It's a commercial zone.
So, now what we're trying to do is have conditions connected to a suite so that we know who's using the space. So, that if there's a problem, that everybody gets booted out, just the tenant that's a problem.
As someone who drives through this uh every day and there's new roads and old roads that aren't there anymore, I think all this is great. It's going to help traffic. You know that's a a concern in general.
So, instead of doing them one at a time and paying, we decided just to make the whole area so that once this redevelops, they're all covered under one zone.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Permit for commercial recreation minor use for Drop Shot Pickleball.
Resolution for approving Drop Shot Pickleball's conditional use permit.
Relevant city code section mentioned in relation to CUP criteria.
Resolution for approving Biffs' conditional use permit for exterior storage.
Resolution for approving additional signage for Canterbury Park.
Ordinance amending the entertainment overlay district.
Planned Unit Development for Mystic Lake Amphitheater.