Neighborhood Preservation Partnership seeks ballfield light limits: FMPC
Farragut Municipal Planning Commission studied proposed amendments to its ordinance governing ballfield lights during its meeting Thursday, Aug. 18.
The amendments were in response to an earlier request from residents with Farragut Neighborhood Preservation Partnership, who asked that ballfield lights be restricted to Mayor Bob Leonard and McFee parks.
“The intent of Farragut Neighborhood Preservation Partnership is, first and foremost, to protect all Farragut families, homes and neighborhoods from incompatible development,” said Jeanne Brykalski, who represents FNPP.
While taking no action to approve the amendments, Commissioners did provide feedback to Community Development director Mark Shipley on the amendments’ language, which mostly related to Intent in Chapter 4 of that ordinance.
The amendment in bold states: “The following requirements shall apply to all developments and/or facilities, excluding single-family and two-family dwellings street lighting (unless governed by the Subdivision Regulations) and lighting associated with public outdoor recreational field and court lighting at Bob Leonard Park, McFee Park and Knox County Schools.”
It also added a definition of ballfield lighting.
“There’s nothing magic about this,” Shipley said. The amendment “really comes down to protecting existing developments from incompatible structures or developments. ...”
Vice Mayor Louise Povlin, said, “I know what we’re trying to get to, but I’m getting lost in the definition part.”
Commissioner Jon Greene agreed the language is confusing. Another FNPP member said she hoped the amendments would be more restrictive as to where ballfield lights could go.
Still, Alderman-elect David White (South Ward II), said the amendments are not necessary.
“Everything they are looking for, everything you are looking for, is in the existing ordinance,” he said. “Read the existing ordinance. It’s plain that nobody is allowed to have them.
“Everything in the original ordinance restricts pole lights,” White added.
He also warned FMPC that, according to the existing ordinance, the Town is in violation because the ballfield lights at McFee and Mayor Bob Leonard parks are “illegal … they’re not supposed to be there.”
