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Commission approves lighting variance for Whitefish High School athletic fields
Summary
The commission approved WZV26-03 March 19, 2026, granting the Whitefish School District a variance to outdoor lighting rules for new high‑school athletic fields (1143 East 4th Street). Staff cited the site’s unique high‑school use and low off‑site light trespass; the motion passed unanimously.
The Whitefish Planning Commission on March 19 approved a variance (WZV26‑03) allowing the Whitefish School District to install stadium lighting at the newly remodeled athletic fields at 1143 East 4th Street.
Planner Wendy Compton Ring said the district requests four pole mounts with dark‑sky‑compliant fixtures at the top and additional lower uplighting on each pole to illuminate the underside of the ball during football and soccer games. Staff explained athletic fixtures were exempted from the code’s height limits but remain subject to the outdoor lighting standards. Because fall sports extend into November, staff said the site — the only high‑school‑caliber field in Whitefish — requires lighting for evening competition. Staff reviewed lighting studies, reported low off‑site light levels in the submittals, and recommended approval, noting the variance would not adversely affect neighbors when the lights are used only for scheduled events.
Shane Jacobs, the project architect with A&E Design, described Musco Lighting modeling used to balance field illumination and off‑site light control and said modern LED fixtures will be switched on only for events and turned off afterward. Jacobs highlighted safety goals for aerial sports: lighting the underside of the ball so punts and high kicks remain visible.
Commissioners discussed whether a condition could restrict lighting to game use; staff noted limits on conditions that can be attached to variances. A motion to approve WZV26‑03 (citing Whitefish City Code Title 11, Chapter 7, Subsection 7) with one stated condition was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously at the meeting.
