Officials blindsided by criticism of Racquet Club blueprints

(Park Record) A City Hall panel and several people who live close to the Racquet Club on Wednesday strongly criticized blueprints to renovate the aging municipal facility, a surprise round of opposition that came during a meeting when city officials had hoped for an affirmative vote.

The Planning Commission had been scheduled to cast a vote, and a staff-written report issued prior to the meeting had recommended a favorable vote. But the panel, worried about issues like the height of a redone Racquet Club and how the neighborhood would be protected during the construction, delayed a vote until at least Jan. 13.

One of the key City Hall figures leading the efforts said afterward he had not expected the Planning Commission to broach topics like the design of the entrance that had not been widely discussed at previous meetings.

"I was surprised they brought up issues that weren't brought up in our previous two meetings," Ken Fisher, who manages recreation programs for City Hall, said in an interview.

According to Fisher, the blueprints call for the building to rise to 48 feet tall at a point facing Little Kate Road where the main entrance is situated. Another point, in the section that houses the tennis courts, would reach 45 feet. In its current state, the tallest portion of the Racquet Club, where the tennis courts are located, climbs to 40 feet tall.

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