Politics & Government

Memorial Lights Issue Heads to Deliberations

Plan commissioners will begin to debate the issue at the next meeting. During Wednesday's meeting both sides finished with closing arguments

Although there will be no formal vote on the Memorial Lights issue at the next plan commission meeting, the outcome will likely be evident as commissioners deliberate.  

Wednesday's plan commission meeting was the last night of testimony, and plan commissioners asked questions of both sides to clear up any confusion before heading into deliberations, which will likely be one of the last meetings before a final vote.

After Wednesday's period of questions, both officials and Our Field, Our Town, the group opposed to the lights, provided closing arguments.

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Chris McClain, assistant superintendent for business services, said the request to install lights at Memorial Field is not "extraordinary." McClain said the installation of lights will have no major impact on neighbors or the community. According to him, all the variance requests meet the requirements. 

But Jim Ozog, OFOT attorney, said that's not the case. To him, the district has proved no hardship but made a clear case for what it desires. In closing, Ozog asked commissioners to make a decision based on the zoning law and not on emotion.

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As the meetings have come to a close, Steve Garwood, a proponent for the lights, said the hearings have been fair for each side. Based on the plan commissioners' line of questioning Wednesday, Garwood couldn't predict the verdict. 

"I have no inkling or feeling on what direction the vote will be," said Garwood.

Plan commissioners' questions varied but quite a few centered on the safety along Crescent Boulevard near Memorial Field.

Police Chief Norton helped to answer those questions and said lights may be a distraction but he doesn't think it's going to be inherently dangerous.

"This isn't a highway, this is learning how to cross the street," Norton said. 

While some were concerned with safety, other commissioners were worried about high volumes of spectators that could be drawn to the field. 

Wednesday's meeting was also the first time the Village's own lighting consultant Jim Darnell addressed commissioners. 

Darnell said there will be no light spill onto the homes, however, he said the neighbors will be able to look up and see, "a little spot of daylight in the dark, dark night."

The next plan commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 20. At that time plan commissioners will deliberate the issue. The meeting will be open to the public but, like tonight's meeting the public will not be able to comment. 


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