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Schools

Zoning Commission Passes a Proposal for York Stadium Use

Recommendation heads to the Development, Planning and Zoning Committee and, eventually, to the full City Council for a vote.

A report on the use of stadium lights and sound at York High School's Clarence D. East Field was passed by the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission Thursday night and is on its way to a committee of the City Council.

By the end of the three-hour meeting, commissioners had passed a proposal, originally presented by Commissioner Alan Brinkmeier, with a few tweaks.

Under the plan, Elmhurst Unit District 205 can only use the stadium lights from March 15 to June 15, and from Aug. 15 to Nov. 30.

Lights would only be allowed on from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends (Friday and Saturday) and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. Lights are not allowed on Sundays. The sound system would be allowed from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, and only during scheduled games throughout the week.

Any other events would require a temporary use permit.

Commissioners' Plan Represents a Compromise

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Representatives of District 205 to be allowed to use the sound system from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from 3:30 p.m. to as late as 9 p.m. on weeknights. They wanted use of the stadium lights from 5:30 to 8 a.m. for weekday practices, and from 3:30 p.m. until 15 minutes after the event's end time Monday through Friday evenings. The district also had asked for light use from 6 p.m. to 15 minutes after end time Saturday nights. 

Some neighbors hadn't liked the vague end times in the School District's proposal; the commission's plan addresses this by setting specific times. And, Brinkmeier said the district's proposed start time for lights was too early.

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"The lights should never be on before 7 a.m.," Brinkmeier said. "I don't believe the district has made a compelling case to have them on before 7 a.m. We should mandate when they can go on. They should get no special treatment different from any other business or construction site."

It Starts with 'Building Relationships'

District 205 representatives also must meet with the city manager twice each year, before the spring and fall sports seasons, and release a schedule of games to neighbors so they are aware of when the stadium lights will be in use.

The district also will host community meetings with neighbors that live within 500 feet of the stadium's property line. Some of the neighbors closest to the stadium have complained of more than just lights and sound. These meetings will help the School District keep a handle on parking, litter, scheduling and other game-day issues.

"It starts with building relationships with your neighbors," Chairman Darrell Whistler said.

'Now ... Let the Kids Play'

This issue has been before the Zoning Commission since, when District 205 first sought to change a 1986 ordinance that only allowed the stadium lights to be used 12 times per year. The district admittedly has broken that ordinance repeatedly, and neighbors of the stadium against the "random use" of the lights and sound system.

Failure to comply with the ordinance, should it be passed, will result in all applicable administrative hearings, penalties and fines, just like those enforceable in any other city violation. Ordinance enforcement will rest with the Elmhurst Police Department.

Elmhurst District 205 Superintendent Lynn Krizic had this to say in an e-mail about the proposed ordinance:

"We are happy that this process is moving into the next phase and are very appreciative of the deliberation. We are looking forward to the City Council's response to the report being developed by the Zoning and Planning Commission."

The report will head to the Development, Planning and Zoning Committee, before it ultimately reaches the City Council.

"Now, let's pass this ordinance and let the kids play," Brinkmeier said.

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