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Zoning board backs Albright Middle School lighting variance after safety, neighbor concerns
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Summary
The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval of a lighting variance for Albright Middle School to permit bollard lights with property‑line readings up to 9.9 foot‑candles. District officials said the lights are for evening safety and will be programmable; a nearby resident expressed concern after receiving an earlier notice with a higher number.
The Villa Park Zoning Board of Appeals voted on April 8 to recommend approval of a variation allowing the installation of eight bollard lights at Albright Middle School (1110 South Villa Avenue) to improve evening safety. The requested plan shows a maximum foot‑candle measurement of 9.9 at the property line adjacent to a public right‑of‑way, where the zoning standard noted in staff materials is 0.5 foot‑candles.
Staff explained the unique constraint: a narrow strip of parking stalls lies, by historic deed, in the public right‑of‑way, which means foot‑candle measurements must be taken at that property line. The district proposed installing eight full‑cutoff bollard fixtures aimed downward to illuminate the sidewalk and parking stall fronts so students, teachers and visitors can safely reach vehicles after evening events. Staff’s photometric plan shows illumination dropping to 0.1 foot‑candles along the far (southern) edge of the parking stalls.
Amy Zaire, superintendent for District 48, told the board the project is part of the district’s “Safe Schools Secure Futures” referendum work and aims to make it safer for people leaving events at night. “This is actually part of our Safe Schools Secure Futures Referendum project and it’s all about safety,” Zaire said. She said the district plans to program the lights to turn off by 9 p.m. on typical evenings.
A nearby resident, Kimberly Seigen, said she and neighbors were alarmed by an early notice that listed a much higher foot‑candle number (68) and came to express concern; after staff and applicants clarified the submitted plan and the corrected highest reading (9.9), she said she was reassured. “I would have been concerned if it were that bright,” Seigen said during the public comment period.
FGM Architects’ representatives Leslie Williams and Matt Tepper described the fixtures as downward‑directed, full‑cutoff LED bollards with non‑glare lenses; the plan lists multiple color‑temperature options and dimming capability. Architects said the fixtures are programmable (timers and photocell control were discussed) and could be scheduled to shut off at defined times or run only during scheduled activities.
Commissioners debated whether to place an operating‑hours condition on the approval (suggestions included a 9 p.m. cutoff or automatic shutoff within 30 minutes of scheduled activities). Some commissioners favored a condition to protect nearby residents; others observed that the district’s programming commitment and the fixture’s design limit light intrusion. The staff recommendation included a prepared motion to permit the maximum illumination depicted in the exhibit; Commissioner Brenda Chang moved to recommend approval and the motion carried on a unanimous roll‑call vote. The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Village Board for final action.
If the Village Board approves the variance, staff and the school district said they would coordinate programming and installation so the lights serve safety needs while minimizing effects on nearby homes.
