Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stadium Lighting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board votes to seek town, zoning and court approval to loosen Cardinal Stadium lighting limits
Summary
After public comment from youth-sports groups and community members, the Greenwich Board of Education unanimously authorized a multi-step effort to request municipal and planning approvals and, if necessary, court review to modify limits on night games and the removal requirement for stadium lighting at Cardinal Stadium.
The Greenwich Board of Education on Monday unanimously authorized the administration to pursue municipal and land-use approvals to modify conditions that limit night games and require removal of lights at Cardinal Stadium.
The board’s action follows multiple public comments from youth-sports organizers and residents asking for more flexible evening use. Jenny Florence Sasse, speaking for Greenwich Girls Flag and on behalf of GYFL, said the groups serve more than 1,500 children and “adding lights specifically from 5 to 8PM would make an enormous difference.”
Why it matters: the existing limits trace to a municipal improvement (MI) approval and later planning approvals that included caps on the number of night events and a condition requiring lights’ removal. The board approved three linked motions to start the legal and municipal process: (1) to submit an application to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) to modify the MI conditions; (2) if successful, to seek relief from the Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals; and (3) if that succeeds, to seek site-plan modifications from the Planning & Zoning Commission. Each motion includes the caveat that further steps are subject to superior court approval tied to a prior stipulation and judgment.
Board and staff described the process as sequential and potentially lengthy. Ben (surname not stated), a district facilities staff member, told the board that “Condition number 3 really is the one...we’re trying to have relief from,” and walked members through a matrix cross-referencing the MI approval (MI-485), the P&Z appeal (No. 8697) and final site approval (No. 2278).
The board’s votes were unanimous on all three motions. Chair Karen Hirsch read the motions aloud and each passed without dissent. Members said they expected further public engagement as the request moves to the RTM and then through the zoning appeals and commission steps.
Community context: speakers at public comment emphasized access for youth programs, volunteer coaches’ schedules, and comparisons to neighboring towns that already permit evening practices and games. Randy Caravella of the Greenwich Athletic Foundation urged the board to “authorize the town attorney or an independent attorney...to take legal action to rescind restrictions and restore the town’s rights.” PTA and facilities representatives raised concerns about neighborhood impacts and the need for oversight of lighting technology and operating conditions.
Next steps: The administration will submit the RTM application; if the RTM approves, the request advances to the Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals and then the Planning & Zoning Commission. Any final change to the stipulation tied to the prior court judgment would require superior court review, the administration said.
Ending: Board members emphasized that the actions authorized are procedural — to open the town and zoning process — and that additional public hearings and technical studies on lighting design, hours and neighborhood impact will follow.
