Saying a neighbor has made a planting plan designed to screen four new pickleball courts impractical if not impossible, an attorney representing the New Canaan Field Club is asking that town officials remove the requirement for plantings.
The Planning & Zoning Commission 18 months ago unanimously approved the Field Club’s application to install one illuminated paddle tennis court, relocate an existing paddle tennis court and build four new pickleball courts on its Smith Ridge Road property. At that April 2023 meeting, the club’s direct neighbors—Tim and Martina O’Sullivan, voiced concerns about noise, lights, screening and safety. In approving the club’s application, P&Z issued a handful of requirements, including that 50% more trees be planted along the northern side of the proposed pickleball courts.
In July, an attorney representing the club—Todd Lampert of New Canaan-based Lampert, Toohey & Rucci LLC—notified the town that the club was in a property dispute with the same neighbors. Specifically, the neighbors were using part of club-owned property for their own driveway, Lampert said.
In an Oct. 1 letter to the town planner, Lampert said that the club’s neighbors “intentionally, and without permission, moved land owned by the Field Club making it impossible/impractical to complete the planting plan required by the town to get the Certificate of Occupancy.”
He continued: “For the foregoing reasons, the New Canaan Field Club is requesting that the requirement for plantings along its driveway bordering the premises on Smith Ridge Road be withdrawn and that the Certificate of Occupancy be granted for the work performed, in accordance with the Field Club’s application.”
P&Z is expected to take up the club’s request at its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.