Zoning and Planning Commision Continues Deliberation on York Stadium Use; Discussion Resumes March 24

A recommendation on the extended use of York High School stadium is not yet on its way to the Elmhurst City Council.

Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission members did not arrive at a recommendation Thursday night, and Chairman Darrell Whistler called for a “common sense approach” to resolve the issue.

“We should really have an environment where we sit down and say ‘I understand your problem,’ ” Whistler said.

However, the commission may only have two more weeks to make a recommendation. Elmhurst city code allows 60 days to make a decision after a public hearing is closed, and the public hearing for this issue closed Jan. 27.

Members of the commission agreed more time might be needed, considering the .

“We have a lot more to do,” Commissioner Dan Corrado said. “I’m starting to get the feeling that this process is almost in the infancy stage.”

 However, Whistler is confident they can arrive at a recommendation.

 “You ought to be able to resolve in your mind the recommendation you want to make,” he said. “Our goal is to totally understand what the request is, and then if we understand that this is their request, how we want to respond to that request.”

The controversy surrounding Clarence D. East athletic field when District 205 requested an amendment to allow the stadium lights to be on for more than 12 nights per year, as allowed in an existing ordinance drafted in 1986.

 This ordinance was “flawed,” Commissioner Alan Brinkmeier said, and since the School District made its request, members of the community have expressed their grief regarding not only the lights issue, but excessive noise and other issues, as well.

 “Right now, we have testimony from citizens who have said, ‘If I call the police, the answer I get from them is that this issue is being discussed right now,” said Brinkmeier. “That’s really frustrating for the neighbors.”

 Commissioner Susan McCoyd said the School District’s relationship with the field’s neighbors is a “big issue.”

 “The trust level with the neighbors is not good,” she said.

Suggestions to solve the issue have included investing in portable lights, or to reduce light spill. The second option would cost $100,000, and the School District has not committed to that yet. A sound system upgrade would be much less expensive, at about $10,000.

 The commission deliberated over how to make neighbors aware of field usage. Suggestions included sending postcards to neighbors and putting up signs around the field stating exactly when the lights will be on for practices and games.

 According to Whistler, notification along these lines would need to be “verified and monitored.”

 Brinkmeier is confident that a reasonable solution will be found and that Elmhurst will be looked upon as a model for others in similar situations.

 “If we do this right, other communities are going to look to us,” he said.

Once the commission makes a recommendation, the City Council will give it to the three-member Development, Planning and Zoning Committee. When they reach a recommendation, the full City Council will vote.

Until then, District 205 will operate under a temporary permit granted by the city that allows them to use the field as needed from March 16 to May 27.

The commission will meet again to discuss the issue March 24.