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Board moves to formalize Centennial Park zoning relief after park district presentation
Summary
The Arlington Heights Village Board directed staff and the village attorney to prepare final zoning and PUD documents to bring Centennial Park improvements into conformance, after Park District leaders presented designs, grant timing and variances for backstop height and existing lighting; the motion passed unanimously.
The Village of Arlington Heights on May 18 directed staff to draft final zoning documents for Centennial Park, moving a Park District proposal forward after a detailed presentation and an hour of public comment.
John Kramer, director of parks and planning for the Arlington Heights Park District, outlined the plan to refresh playground equipment, raise a baseball backstop, replace a deteriorated boardwalk and add a looped walking path. Kramer said the project is tied to an IDNR grant with a $600,000 award and a construction schedule that would need work to start in June to meet a March 31, 2027 grant deadline.
The petition asks the village to redesignate 1408 East Eaton Drive — a small parcel now zoned for single-family use — as parkland, rezone it to PL (Public Land), approve a planned unit development for park improvements, grant a special-use permit for park district facilities and approve three variations: waiving a required traffic study, allowing a 40-foot baseball backstop and recognizing existing sports lighting of 49.5 feet.
Park District consultant Monica Gossamaroni of RVI said the existing backstop is roughly 30 feet and that the requested 40-foot backstop is a standard for modern baseball facilities. Village planning staff said the photometric information requested by the Planning Commission has been provided and that the 49.5-foot lights are existing conditions the petition seeks to regularize.
Supporters of the improvements, including parents and representatives of youth athletic organizations, told trustees the upgrades would improve safety and expand playing opportunities. "We serve more than 3,500 athletes currently," said Ed Baez, president of the Arlington Heights Association, urging investment in fields and lights to support youth sports.
Nearby residents expressed concerns about lighting, noise and backyard flooding. Catherine Mazzoni, who lives adjacent to the ball fields, cited a 57-page submission opposing the variances and questioned whether the park district had proven the criteria for a variance in a residential area. She said lights and scheduling already affect neighborhood quality of life.
Manager Reclos and Park District staff emphasized the limits of the village board uthority over Park District operations; Reclos noted operational issues such as lighting and programming are within the Park District's purview, while the village's action tonight is limited to land-use and zoning relief. "Simply because a project is rezoned doesn't mean the village has special authority to revisit any and all aspects of the operation of that property," Reclos said.
After discussion and public testimony the board voted unanimously to "direct staff and the village attorney to prepare final documents granting the zoning relief" for PC 26-002, subject to conditions recommended by the Planning Commission.
Next steps: staff and the village attorney will draft the formal ordinance and PUD documents for future board consideration; the Park District said construction would begin only after finalized approvals and the grant requirements are satisfied.
