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Council backs Morris Baseball Association variance to place field house at Eagles Ballpark lot line
Summary
The Morris City Council gave a formal endorsement allowing the Morris Baseball Association to seek a rear‑setback variance so a 60-by-100 indoor field house can be sited adjacent to Eagles Ballpark; planning commission will finalize the variance at its upcoming meeting.
The Morris City Council on March 3 endorsed the Morris Baseball Association’s plan to site a 60-by-100 indoor field house adjacent to Eagles Ballpark, clearing the way for the planning commission to act on a rear‑setback variance.
The council’s endorsement came after a presentation by Kirby Sales, president of the Morris Baseball Association, who said the structure would be “tucked away behind the grandstand area of the baseball field” and include water, heat, air conditioning and a bathroom so the association can provide year-round skill development.
The recommendation asked the council to give its opinion on a variance to place the building up to the city property line so the structure reads as part of the park, rather than a standalone building. Sales said the association has been working with the property owner next to the ball field and is considering buying a piece of land that is the small triangle next to the park.
Planning commission members had raised concerns about setbacks and potential snow accumulation impacting the adjacent roadway. Mayor Waller and other council members discussed snow removal logistics; the city manager confirmed public works equipment can handle plowing if the city chooses to assist. A council member noted the lot is zoned RM (residential multifamily) and that the proposed height—Sales said batting cages reach 14 feet so the building “couldn’t be much over 16” feet—falls within allowed massing for the district.
Council members moved and seconded a motion “approving the placement of the baseball facility on the city property line” as a formal expression of support for the variance; the council then took a roll‑call vote. Council members recorded as voting yes were Solby, Thomas, Miller and Mayor Waller; the motion carried.
The planning commission has a 14‑day window from its hearing to act on the variance; the commission has scheduled a special meeting next Tuesday to consider the request. The planning commission itself retains final authority to grant or deny the variance.
If the planning commission approves the variance, council members and association representatives said the field house will remain property of the Morris Baseball Association, which would assume maintenance responsibilities. Sales said the association wants the building to “feel as if it’s part of the park” and to manage its upkeep. The council did not make or adopt any land‑use ordinance at this meeting.
Votes at this meeting on the baseball placement were recorded by roll call; the planning commission will record any formal variance action in its minutes when it acts next week.
