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Commission denies special‑permit request for illuminated batting cage at 884 Smithridge Road
Summary
After a contested public hearing and a year of back‑and‑forth with neighbors, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny a special permit allowing illumination at a residential batting cage at 884 Smithridge Road; commissioners cited persistent light and noise concerns and unresolved engineering items.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8‑1 on Jan. 28 to deny a special‑permit application that would have allowed outdoor illumination for a private batting cage at 884 Smithridge Road.
Alfred Delicata, agent for the property owner, presented a photometric lighting study and a decibel survey prepared after earlier commission questions. The applicant removed one of four fixtures and proposed shields on the remaining fixtures; Mr. Delicata also offered to curtail activity at 10:00 p.m. and said a substantial natural buffer between properties remains in winter. Engineer James DeMeo explained shielding would focus light downward and that one fixture’s removal eliminated a measured trespass point.
Neighbor Frank Mercedes testified he has been impacted by the sound of “cracking baseballs” from the cage at close range and described the lights as a “big wall of light.” Other neighbors submitted a letter asking for three conditions: 10‑foot tall evergreen screening on 10‑foot centers along the Mercedes property line, light shielding on all fixtures, and cessation of activity at 9:30 p.m.
Commission discussion weighed proposed mitigation against neighbor testimony and lingering drainage and engineering comments. The applicant said he would accept the three neighbor conditions in writing; commissioners noted outstanding town‑engineer concerns about drainage and the broader public‑interest standard for outdoor illuminated uses. After deliberation, a motion to deny the special permit passed.
Vote: Benton (yes), Engel (yes), Herring (yes), Kanag (yes), Knowles (no), Chris (yes), Nielsen (yes), Radman (yes), Swerdlow (yes). The application is denied and the proposed lighting is not authorized.
