Narrative Lifetime
Life Time
Chanhassen Pickleball Addition
Development Plan Project Narrative
May 19, 2023
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this request is for site plan approval for the development of a Life Time
Pickleball facility in Chanhassen, MN. This facility would include 8 indoor and 6 outdoor
courts located southwest of the Life Time Athletic Club and Corporate Campus, directly
across from Life Time’s Corporate 3 Building. As shown in the graphic below, the current
improvements on site consist of a paved asphalt parking lot constructed in 2019. The Site
is currently zoned PUD with indoor recreation/health club as a permitted use. Life Time is
not at this time requesting any change or variance to zoning or permitted land use.
SURROUNDING CONTEXT
The site lies within the Arboretum Business Park PUD located East of Highway 41 and
south of Highway 5. To the north is Life Time’s Athletic Club, and corporate headquarters.
To the west of the site lies the 1,200 acre Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. To the east
and south are offices, light industrial, daycare facilities and commercial buildings.67th Ave
SITE PLAN
The proposed Life Time Pickleball facility will consist of an approximate 26,000 square
foot precast building with the entry oriented to the east. Located to the west of the building
will be an additional 6 fenced outdoor pickleball courts with lounge area accessed from the
building. Outdoor courts, and the walking path will be lighted from dusk until closing.
Additional site features will include landscaping, a surface filtration pond BMP and a
screened ground level mechanical HVAC area. Accessible sidewalks will encompass the
east side of the building, between the parking lot running north and south, and connect to
the existing walking path from the Club on the northern side of the lot. During operating
hours, Life Time staff will be on site to handle check in and operations.
Parking
All parcels within the Life Time campus are part of a shared parking agreement.
Development of the site shall include repaving and restriping of the impacted parking lot,
where affected by construction activity and utility installation. SSTS, LLC conducted a
traffic and parking memo on behalf of Life Time. The memo has been included with the
application submittal documents. Parking requirements per Chanhassen City Code
require a total of 48 stalls. Parking demand is anticipated to be handled by the existing
main corporate and club lot to the north, and with the adjacent corporate 3 building lot. No
additional parking area is anticipated to be constructed due to the available capacity of
parking between these lots, however a set number of corporate 3 parking stalls shall be
signed and striped accessible for pickleball use only.
Existing Stairway/ Connection to Club
BUILDING
This proposed 26,000 sf building will feature reception, changing & restrooms, lockers,
lounge area and 8 indoor pickleball courts. The building will be constructed to match
similar styles to the nearby buildings. The final building roof height will be kept under 30’ to
satisfy the aerial fire apparatus rules and will be fire accessible from the parking lot. Life
Time is currently working with several precast manufacturers and anticipates having
additional renderings and building samples available for the city to review at a later date.
Design Guidelines
The exterior finishes of the proposed building will of high quality and will be in compliance
with the Arboretum Business Park Development Design Standards. A continuous masonry
base is proposed on all four sides and will vary in height from 6’ to 8’. Exposed precast
concrete panels will be acid-etched to provide texture and will feature integral coloring with
earth-tone consistent with the Life Time typical brand finish palette. The large expanses
on the east and west facing elevations will be broken up with accent color portions and
artificial green wall elements. The roof line will be adorned with a projecting cornice
element and will vary in height on the east and west façade to add architectural interest
and break up the long expanse. The interior use: the Pickleball, is not conducive to
daylighting and solar glare. Life Time members expect a certain playing environment, with
consistently colored background fields, free from distractions for improved visibility of the
ball. For these reasons the fenestration is proposed at the main building entry, access
doors to outdoor courts and the north and south ends of the building.
Signage
Wall signs are proposed on the east, west and south facing facades. The east and west
elevations exceed 4,500 SF; the signage on each side is proposed to be at or under the
275 sf maximum allowed. The south facing elevation is approximately 2,600 sf the
proposed sign on this façade will be at or under the allowed 182 SF (7%) per Municipal
Code.
CLOSING
Due to the enormous popularity of pickleball over the last few years, and the growing
demand for court availability, Life Time’s goal is to have this facility open and operating by
the end of the year, following both the schedule of approvals for the City and the
watershed. Attached to this narrative you will find an application for development review,
draft construction plans, details and building elevations. Life Time anticipates having
supplemental information available in the coming weeks to support our application.
If there are any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact us.
Gage Thompson, PE
Engineering Manager
Life Time
Real Estate & Development
C 612.219.8309