Pickleball Court Proposal at Historic NCR Site: The Oakwood City Council is set to revisit a proposal that would permit a local business to build a pickleball court on a former NCR site. This decision follows a formal rejection due to notification issues, but officials remain positive about the court’s potential.
Proposed Construction Details
Russell Total Wealth and Wellness aims to construct a 30- by 60-foot pickleball court on the south side of its corporate headquarters, located off Ohio 48 and West Schantz Avenue. According to city records, the proposal aligns with the recommendations outlined in a 2004 NCR Sugar Camp plan, as well as other relevant city guidelines.
Procedural Denial and Future Steps
Law Director Robert Jacques explained that the council’s denial was strictly formal.
“Normally, if you denied something, a special use request like this, you would be barred from refiling it for 12 months, unless there’s new evidence or new information … with the understanding that it would be resubmitted properly.”-(Robert Jacques)
A legal notice about the issue was published as required, but there were complications with courtesy notifications sent to nearby residents.
“They don’t believe that they received that and we don’t have any way to verify that.”-(Robert Jacques)
Historical Context of the Sugar Camp Site
The Sugar Camp area holds historical significance as it was a National Cash Register sales training camp used by the U.S. Navy during World War II for a secret project. Oakwood Councilwoman Healy Jackson showed the district’s unique zoning regulations, stating:
“in the multi-use special zoning district … that was created in the waning years of NCR’s ownership of the Sugar Camp property.”
“it was written to maximize local control over the development of the site.”
“regulations for the district are sparse but strict.”-(healy jackson)
Noting that nearly all developments necessitate public hearings and special use approval.
After the war, Sugar Camp transitioned back to an NCR training facility, undergoing renovations around 1970 for year-round use, according to Dayton Daily News archives. Eventually, the camp was permanently closed, and the land has since been repurposed for various uses.
News in Brief: Pickleball Court Proposal at Historic NCR Site
The Oakwood City Council is set to reconsider a proposal from Russell Total Wealth and Wellness to build a 30- by 60-foot pickleball court on the former NCR site. The council’s initial denial stemmed from procedural issues regarding notification to nearby residents.
Law Director Robert Jacques explained the process and potential for resubmission, noting the historical significance of the Sugar Camp site, which served as a training facility for the U.S. Navy during WWII. The proposal is expected to return to the planning commission before the end of the year.
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