Planning Commission approves taller, shielded LED lights at Toms Creek field

The Blacksburg Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit (CUP 24-4) to allow upgraded lighting at the public park and softball field at 2100 Toms Creek Road, replacing six existing light poles with new 60-foot LED poles equipped with shielding.

The change, approved by voice vote at the commission’s regular meeting, will raise existing poles that the town described as roughly 53 feet (one description noted 53 feet, 4 inches) to a proposed height of 60 feet, install LED fixtures with directional shielding and require compliance with the applicant’s photometric plan and fixture specifications.

Staff said the applicant requested a more detailed photometric plan and has confirmed existing foot‑candle measurements. Carolyn Collins, who presented the staff report, said the taller poles “may result in greater visibility to surrounding areas,” but that the proposed LED fixtures and shielding are intended to reduce light spillage while eliminating dark spots on the playing surface. Collins told the commission that the applicant submitted a photometric plan and was working on a more detailed version at the commission’s request.

Dean Crain, the town’s parks and recreation director and the applicant’s representative, said the upgrade responds to goals in town guidance and resident feedback: “It’s a town council goal to improve town amenities,” he said, and better lighting will increase programming time and player safety. Crain said the field currently hosts roughly 1,000 hours of programming per year and that the existing fixtures are roughly 40 years old and difficult to service.

Key technical and operational details from the application and staff report: - The parcel is roughly 9.33 acres and zoned Rural Residential 1. The use (lighting at a public park/field) is allowed by conditional use permit under section 43-20 of the zoning code. - The proposal replaces six poles at the existing pole locations and raises pole height from about 53 feet to 60 feet. - The applicant provided a photometric plan; staff recommended a condition that “all lighting installation shall conform to the photometric plan dated 12/26/2024” and that fixtures be installed and maintained “as specified in the application submitted 11/27/2024.” The commission attached those staff conditions to its approval. - The applicant asked for an exemption to the code requirement for large evergreen screening along the western side that fronts Toms Creek Road; staff and the applicant said steep topography at the road edge constrains planting. The commission approved the requested exemption. - Current operations: events typically conclude by 10:00 p.m. and lights shut off by about 10:30 p.m.; the field is used by both public and private leagues. - The applicant proposes a maintenance contract with a 25-year service term and presented a lifetime‑cost savings estimate for the town.

Neighbors were invited to a January 9 neighborhood meeting; staff reported five people attended and that some expressed concern about potential sky glow. The applicant and the vendor’s design approach rely on directional shielding and industry “dark‑sky” design practices to limit off‑site lighting.

The commission’s approval was moved and seconded, followed by a unanimous voice vote in favor; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript. The permit includes the staff‑recommended conditions that the installation conform to the stated photometric plan and to the fixture specifications in the application.

Implementation will proceed through the town’s procurement and contract process. The applicant indicated the vendor (Musco Lighting) designs fields using community‑oriented sports lighting standards aligned with dark‑sky practices and that the vendor will be able to adjust aiming after installation if off‑site impacts occur.