Gunbarrel tennis facility application suspended

On March 4, the owner and developers of the "Tennis Center of the Rockies" project requested that the Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting Department table their Special Use Review application to permit the construction of a tennis complex at N. 79th Street in Gunbarrel. Going forward, the applicants may update and resubmit their application or withdraw the application entirely.

In a communication to the county planning group, the developers said, "We would officially like to request a tabling of our application for the Tennis Center of the Rockies at 5701 N 79th Street (application #SU-23-0016) to take the time to understand and address the concerns that you shared with us from planning staff....We will reach out to you in the future when we are ready to move forward on our application again."

Over 500 responses to the application from community members were received by Boulder County planners. Some were in support of the application, but the majority opposed it. Allida Shoning, a 45-year resident of Gunbarrel Estates and tennis player, pointed out that there are at least 24 public and private tennis courts within a five-mile radius of the proposed site.

The proposed tennis development is motivated by the upcoming loss of two community tennis centers in the City of Boulder whose 27 courts are in high demand. According to the Tennis Center of the Rockies website, the proposed facility would continue to provide "publicly accessible courts for adults, educational programs, and community amenities for families, seniors, kids, wheelchair tennis players, and underserved communities."

The complex would add 26 courts with seasonal court "bubble" coverings, a 25-meter swimming pool and clubhouse on 20 acres along the west side of N. 79th Street, just north of Lookout Road. The proposal has the strong endorsement of Boulder Tennis Association, which recently successfully advocated for the addition of up to 20 additional outdoor public tennis courts in the City of Boulder.

The landowner and developers are facing strong opposition based on referral comments submitted to Boulder County. Opponents fear the development would set a precedent that violates the Boulder Comprehensive Plan which states that "growth should be channeled to municipalities, agricultural lands should be protected and reservation of our environmental and natural resources should be a high priority in making land use decisions." Other concerns include increased traffic, septic system issues, loss of mountain views and disruption to the native wildlife and habitat.

The nonprofit organization Protect Rural Gunbarrel was created to inform area residents about the plan and organize opposition. Gregory Dobbin, who is among the organizers, said, "The fact that the applicants requested to table the application after receiving feedback from the county planner indicates that they understand that their proposal is flawed and does not warrant further consideration at this time or a hearing before the Boulder County Planning Commission. If the application is reopened at a later date, we will stand by the objections we have articulated, and if the application is substantively revised, we will look very closely at whatever modifications they introduce."