North Ridgeville — The Board of Zoning and Building Appeals voted unanimously to grant three variances requested by North Ridgeville City Schools for the new high school campus lighting plan, allowing taller poles and slightly higher average illumination in parking areas and entrances than the residential zoning code permits.

The school's design team, represented by Claire Bank of Design Architecture, requested: (1) a 16.5‑foot height variance to permit luminaires mounted at 32.5 feet where the code limits poles to 16 feet in residential districts (Section 1285.d); (2) a variance for higher average illumination in several open parking areas (proposed averages ranging from 2.26 to 2.94 foot‑candles versus a 2‑foot‑candle code allowance); and (3) a variance for higher illumination at building entrances (proposed 7.09 foot‑candles versus a 5‑foot‑candle allowance, Table 1285.08‑1).

Bank told the board the proposed poles match existing fixtures installed as part of earlier work on the site; the design calls for LED, full cutoff fixtures and shields on poles adjacent to residential properties. Bank said the photometric plan shows 0 foot candles at the property edge along the Pitts Boulevard side so there will be no light trespass on those properties. She also said the design team submitted a shield‑location diagram and that many fixtures would be fully shielded; a few would be partially shielded where site conditions require.

Board members and staff noted the campus's nonresidential function and long history of night activity. Planning staff reviewed the Duncan factors and concluded that the project continues an established use and that strict compliance would require a significant redesign with many additional fixtures. Staff recommended the board consider shields and controls to reduce impacts on adjacent homes.

The board heard a written correspondence from nearby residents raising concerns that some poles would be within 100 feet of properties on Pitts Boulevard and that the nearest pole would sit about 58 feet, 10 inches from a property line; residents asked that shields be added and that the district reconsider height along the driveway. A resident who spoke at the meeting, Joe May of 34903 Bainbridge Road, said existing on‑site lights already affect his yard and sleep patterns but that he understood the new fixtures would match existing poles.

Board member Toth asked whether the northernmost, staff parking lot would be on a dusk‑to‑dawn schedule and whether that lot could be timed to turn off when not in use; Bank said that is technically possible but would require the school district's approval and different fixture controls. Chief Building Official Fursten confirmed the photometric plan and noted the code requirement of zero foot candles at residential property lines.

The board approved each variance in separate motions; roll calls showed unanimous yes votes from Kane, Toth and Masterson. The record does not show further conditions beyond the applicant's commitment to shields and the submitted photometric plan.