Glen Ellyn Village Trustees Unanimously Approve Memorial Field Lights

All six village of Glen Ellyn trustees approved the installation of lights at School's turf practice field. 

The trustees debated on whether to reverse the recommendation of the plan commission, but with certain conditions including lights out at Memorial Field at 9 p.m.

The issue to install lights at the school's campus, which is in the heart of downtown Glen Ellyn has been a contentious issue for nearly a year and some say it has divided the town. Many hearings were held to determine whether Glenbard Township High School District 87 should be granted variances to the zoning code to install lights, among other improvements, to allow for increased usage of the practice field along Crescent Boulevard.  

The board had three options before Monday's final vote. The trustees could either vote to approve, modify or deny the recommendation of the plan commission. In the end, the trustees voted to uphold the recommendations of the plan commission.  

However, Trustees Pete Ladesic and Phil Hartweg preferred a later shut-off time at 9:30 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. 

"I don't think that that half hour is going to make a bit of difference," said Ladesic. "I don't know people that are in bed by that time." 

But Village President Mark Pfefferman said if District 87 was OK with the 9 p.m. shut-off time then it should stand. Trustees Carl Henninger and Robert Friedberg agreed. 

"I think it's real important not to backslide on this because it's real important to the neighborhood," said Henninger. 

Trustees voted to uphold the same limitations set by the plan commission, which include the 9 p.m. lights-out policy, no light usage before the start of the school day, no summer light usage and no light usage when the field is not in use. The plan commission also recommended forming an advisory board to annually review the lights, in addition to recommending no speaker system use after 7 p.m. when the lights are on.

Now the project will head back to District 87's school board to be put to bid, while the community begins raising funds for the $300,000 light project that the district promises will be privately funded. If all goes according to plan, the construction will start July 13, 2012 and is expected to be complete by Aug. 31, in time for 2012-2013 school year.   

However, the District will have five years to construct the approved changes, which includes a new ornamental gate, fence, sidewalks and batting cage.

The trustees lauded the residents and school district for coming together to make compromises and working respectfully throughout the debate.