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Council approves light variance for Carroll fields
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
Early Tuesday morning, the Southlake City Council unanimously approved a variance request from Carroll ISD that will allow lights to be used at Carroll Senior High School's baseball and softball fields.
The district, which has gone 22 years without lights at the fields, had requested a variance to the city's light ordinance. Officials have wanted lights at the fields, but the city's light ordinance didn't allow for certain specifications officials said was needed to properly light the field.
CISD requested variances for lighting intensity, horizontal and vertical light spillover to an adjacent residence, lumination and type of lighting.
CISD officials said the maximum number of home night games for the baseball and softball teams combined would be 25 games, not including playoffs.
The Southlake Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial of the request earlier this month.
The baseball field poles are expected to range from 70 feet to 90 feet in height, depending on where they are located on the field. All of the poles in the softball field are expected to be 60 feet in height.
The audience, which packed the council chambers, was split on the issue. Many supported the variance so the baseball team can play night games, which supporters said is better for attendance and keeps players from having to miss class, rather than late afternoon games.
Those in support also said the softball team could benefit since it would no longer have to go to Bob Jones Park to play its games. Some said the field is inadequate for a Class 5A softball team to play on.
Others were concerned about safety issues by traveling away from the campus.
"What's gone on around the country and in this community over the last few weeks has been tragic," said resident Bob Morgan. "We need to make sure we're focused on just that -- taking care of the kids and making sure they're plugged in."
Those who opposed the light variance said CISD's argument for installing the lights isn't justified and isn't worth the potential problems neighboring homeowners might face.
"CISD has failed to meet the burden to request the variance," said resident Mike Vassios. "The school has and has had viable options and has created its own hardship.
"I'm asking the city to continue its longstanding tradition of protecting homeowners' quality of life and home values and enforcing code compliance," Vassios said.
Others were concerned that with the variance approval, it would open the door for the school district to use the lights more than what was agreed upon and that the city wouldn't be able to control that.
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