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Council advances zoning change on athletic‑field lighting and approves Episcopal High School lights with conditions
Summary
City council voted to remove the city code’s 80‑foot cap on sports field lighting — prompting debate over taller poles — and then heard a separate application by Episcopal High School for campus lights. Council approved the EHS special‑use permit with a five‑year timeframe, a 10 p.m. lights‑out requirement and community safeguards.
Alexandria city council on May 17 approved a zoning text amendment that removes an 80‑foot height limit on light poles for congregate recreational facilities and dog parks, and later approved a separate special‑use permit allowing Episcopal High School to install athletic field lighting — with conditions set by council after intense public comment.
The text amendment drew sustained public comment at the meeting, including from residents, civic groups and landscape and light‑engineering experts. Planning staff and several speakers told council that advances in lighting technology and industry standards allow taller poles to focus light more precisely, reducing glare and off‑site spill. Opponents countered that eliminating a numerical cap…
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