Mount Prospect OKs lights for Melas Park fields

Melas Park neighbors were disappointed by the Mount Prospect Village Board’s decision to allow the park district to install 70-foot tall lights above the park’s soccer and football fields.

But the decision pleased advocates for youth football and soccer.

On Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to grant the park district the conditional use, which enables the district to build above the current height limit of 30 feet.

Trustee Michael Zadel was among those who accepted the park district’s argument that changes in technology will make it possible for light to shine straight down on the action, rather than sideways, as was the case with the old light standards. This, the district maintains, means the light will not be shining on the neighbors, who live mainly on Kenilworth Avenue.

“I don’t think the light spillage is going to be that major of an issue,” he said.

It was the second straight meeting in a month that involved more than two hours of discussion on the issue.

John Green, speaking on behalf of the park district, said the district had responded to concerns from residents.

One concern revolved around the fact that even though light would technically not be spilling beyond the fields, they would still be able to see the light shining down.

Green said the park district is willing to commit $25,000 for landscaping to screen the neighbors.

Another concern stemmed from the impact of the lights on property values. Green submitted an admittedly unscientific and hastily assembled study of values in areas adjacent to parks with lights that showed values actually increasing.

But the presentation failed to impress one of the neighbors, Nancy Weinand, a real estate agent, who deemed the findings unacceptable. She said such a study “needs to be done by a professional.”

Another neighbor, Gary Gilmer, has argued that the village’s planning and zoning commission needed to receive expert information on values.

Gilmer voiced his concern that he has made a huge investment in his property.

But the village’s attorney, Everette “Buzz” Hill, told him the commission is not bound by any requirement for expert testimony on the possible diminishing of home values.

Parking is also a concern for neighbors, and Green said the park district will be working with the village’s public works department to study the issue.

For Bruce Jarosz, president of the Mount Prospect Football Association, the lights would be a godsend.

He said practices could all take place at Melas and could be staggered, meaning less impact on the community. At present, the association is forced to hold practices at Maryville Academy and Lions Park.

Trustee Steven Polit said he was concerned about the increased need for facilities.

“The community is getting younger,” he said. “There are people moving in that have more children.”

He added, “Melas Park without lights ... is going to be a worse place, because they are going to need to pack in more games into less time. And there is going to be more cars. And there is going to be a waiting list for kids to get into programs, because there isn’t enough time for everybody to play football (or) soccer.”