Lights for TC Williams High School Athletic Field

Over two long meetings this month, the Alexandria Planning Commission debated a number of significant issues. Chief among those was a proposal to modernize Parker-Gray Stadium at T.C. Williams High School.

The Alexandria City Public Schools request calls for construction of new facilities including restrooms, concessions, press box, and ticket vending booth, as well as site improvements including pedestrian access, track improvements, sound system upgrades, athletic field lighting and site lighting. A related proposal recommended for approval by the Planning Commission would amend the zoning ordinance to increase the allowable height of light poles at athletic fields, from 60 feet to 80 feet, to facilitate new lighting technologies that minimize light spillage onto adjacent properties.

Alexandria’s only public high school has been without lighting of its athletic field since the original school building opened in 1965, in part due to the proximity of nearby residential neighborhoods along Woods Place and Bishop Lane. As the schools division detailed in its request, the absence of athletic field lighting has imposed operational limitations on the high school, including the location and timing of athletic contests and practices.

The central question the Planning Commission faced is whether the impacts of a lighted field–which would intensify use of site–are compatible with the surrounding residences. Key considerations include the days and hours of use by ACPS and other users, impacts of sound and lighting, siting of new improvements, and the adequacy of conditions to mitigate neighborhood impacts.

Ultimately, the Planning Commission voted 5-2 in favor of lighting the field as recommended by staff, but added conditions requiring improved fencing and maintenance of the site perimeter, as well as heightened communication and coordination with adjacent neighbors. The commission also supported broadened hours of operation, until 10:15 nightly Monday through Thursday for ACPS-sponsored games and events.

Commentary

I was pleased to support the motion recommending approval of stadium improvements at TC Williams.

As our city grows, we need to make better use of existing parks and open space. Lighted fields are one way of squeezing additional use out of existing facilities. If our schools are to remain competitive with surrounding communities, we cannot afford to have substandard amenities that saddle our students with sub-optimal operating arrangements. We cannot keep punishing our students at the expense of the present situation.

Admittedly, this change will have impacts, but I do not believe these impacts will be unreasonable or beyond what one should expect for a residence abutting a public high school. Given enhancements in lighting and sound technologies, I believe the enhancements can be compatible with adjacent neighborhoods–and Planning Commission-proposed conditions will help to mitigate negative impacts. As staff research has indicated, the field will be further from nearby residences than the existing lighted athletic field at nearby the Minnie Howard School, as well as fields at other public high schools in Northern Virginia.

In addition, I’m supportive of broadened hours of field operations. This change will allow equitable use of the field by girls athletic teams, whose teams typically play Monday through Thursday nights.

If approved by City Council this month, this change would represent another step forward for a family-friendly Alexandria that nurtures our children and supports their educational and recreational needs.

Postscript

After significant debate, Council voted 6-1 on October 13, 2018 to approve the proposal as recommended by the Planning Commission with several key modifications. Use of lights is permitted only for ACPS games or practices, and use of the sound system is permitted only for ACPS games. Lights must be turned off by 9:45 pm Monday through Thursday and 10:15 pm Friday and Saturday. No use of lights is permitted on Sundays, although fields may be used during daylight hours on Sundays. The approved conditions allow for up to 45 additional minutes of use only for games in the event of overtime, injury, or weather.

Council also approved the text amendment permitting light poles of up to 80 feet in height when it can be demonstrated that the additional height will reduce the effects of glare and light spillage, subject to approval by City Council following a public input process and public hearing. The measure was approved 6-1.