Neighbors press council over screening, lighting as Red Oak High practice field approved
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Summary
After extended public comment, the council approved Ordinance 26-005 to allow a practice field, track elements and parking adjacent to single-family homes, but required added landscape screening, photometric plans and gated parking. Nearby residents raised concerns about proximity, view lines, lighting and traffic; ISD representatives described measures to mitigate impacts.
The Red Oak City Council voted 5–0 to approve Ordinance 26-005 permitting construction of a practice field, track and associated parking and landscaping adjacent to Red Oak neighborhoods at 220 S. State Highway 342, after a lengthy public hearing in which multiple residents urged stronger screening and traffic mitigation.
Brenda Sanford, superintendent of Red Oak ISD, told the council the design shifts the parking lot roughly 70 feet from adjacent houses, includes a triple-row of trees, gated visitor parking that will not be used for daily student parking, cutoff LED lighting to achieve "0 trespass" at the property line and ornamental fencing around the track to contain athletes during events. Residents including Amber Jones, Laura Edwards, Michael Richardson and Belinda Ferguson said the site is too close to backyards, asked whether evergreen screening or masonry walls could be used, and disputed the adequacy of shrubs as long-term screening.
Legal staff reminded the council that, under Texas precedent, a school district controls placement of facilities on its property but that the city retains authority to require health, safety and welfare conditions such as setbacks, screening, lighting and photometric compliance. Council added conditions to require a photometric plan that meets city standards at permitting and evergreen trees on the landscape exhibits; staff said they will update ordinance exhibits and require compliance in the building permit and construction plan process.
The council noted their preference for durable screening and confirmed the ISD will provide irrigation and maintenance as part of the landscape plan. The ordinance passed with the stated amendments and the council closed the public hearing.
