“06880” reporter John H. Palmer writes:
Following a long wait, 2 athletic fields in town will get lights.
After debating and hearing public comment throughout the summer, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted 4-1 last night to approve site plan changes that allow permanent lights on both the Wakeman turf field next to Bedford Middle School, and PJ Romano Field behind Saugatuck Elementary School.
The resolutions were voted on separately. Paul Lebowitz, Craig Schiavone, Bre Injeski and Michael Cammeyer approved, while Michael Calise opposed.
Approval means that LED lights can be affixed to 4 70-foot poles at both locations. New technology, experts said, sharply reduce “light spillage.”
Rendering of what lights could look like on the Wakeman turf field.
Proponents cited field shortages for Staples and youth athletes. The issue is particularly acute in late fall and early spring.
Much of the discussion over the past several months centered around conditions governing field usage.
Last night’s plan included 16 conditions governing use of the fields.
Lights will be turned off at 9 p.m. every day. The original proposal allowed lights until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Lights will remain on for another 30 minutes — at a dimmed level — enabling attendees to leave safely and clean-up to occur.
Rendering of lights at PJ Romano Field.
In addition, the Parks & Recreation Department will work with the Board of Education to install egress lighting between Wakeman Field and parking areas.
Schiavone asked Parks & Rec to ensure that games are not played on nights that there are other student or parent activities planned at Staples, to cut down on traffic and ensure adequate parking.
Another area of concern for Wakeman neighbors was amplified noise — for example, speakers used for music. It will be allowed for pre-game warm-ups only.
Use of the fields will be limited to Parks & Recreation and school activities, with no multi-game tournaments allowed. No games will be played on Sundays.
In addition, 3 trees will be added to the Wakeman landscape plan.
A Parks & Rec staff member or designee will be on site, to monitor compliance with all regulations. A committee will be created to address any complains.
Calise — the lone commissioner to vote against the lights — said that there were not enough controls, the lights would be on too many nights of the week, and there is no “clear picture of who will be using these later hours.” He asked for
reassurance that the fields would not be used by outside groups.
Parks & Recreation Department director Erik Barbieri said, “We at Parks & Rec are very pleased with the P&Z’s decision. And we are happy for the thousands of kids who will benefit from the decision.
“We will ensure that all restrictions are enforced, for the safe and proper use of these lights.”
Westport Zoning Regulations, §32 Regulations pertaining to all districts, 32-7 Prohibited Uses 32-7.1: “Any use…perceptible beyond the boundaries of the lot on which it is situated; or by reason of illumination by artificial light or light reflected beyond the limits of the lot on, or from which, such light or light reflection, emanates…which can cause injury, annoyance, or disturbance to any of the surrounding properties, or to their owners and occupants.”