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Supervisors approve 45‑foot lights at Pole Green Park with shielding and buffer conditions
Summary
The Board approved a special exception permitting 45‑foot lighting for Pole Green Park pickleball courts (allowed until 11 p.m.), with conditions including house‑side shields and a 50‑foot buffer to limit light spill; the project will be paid with ARPA funds, county staff said.
Hanover County approved a special exception to allow lighting taller than the A‑1 zoning limit so the county can light existing pickleball courts at Pole Green Park until 11 p.m.
Parks and Recreation staff and project manager Reed Miller argued a 45‑foot pole height is preferable to lower poles because taller fixtures can aim luminaires downward to reduce glare and light spill while providing better court illumination. Miller described a photometric plan and said the nearest residence is about 650 feet from the courts; staff said the project will be funded with ARPA dollars and that parking and walkway lighting will be included at lower foot‑candle levels.
Supporters — including a county pickleball ambassador and youth players — testified that extended hours and lit courts improve recreation opportunities, especially November–March. A neighbor who lives directly behind the courts opposed the lighting, citing concerns about visibility above the tree line in winter, leaf loss on deciduous trees, and increased noise if courts remain active later into the evening. She requested evergreen screening and other mitigation.
The Board approved the special exception with staff‑recommended conditions to preserve a 50‑foot vegetative buffer near the southern boundary and install house‑side shields on fixtures to limit spill onto adjacent properties.
