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Planning commission approves field lighting for North Canton high school baseball stadium
Summary
The North Canton Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit and related development review to install six new light poles and fixtures at the high school baseball stadium, after the school's representative described design specs and a resident raised questions about nighttime use and light spill.
The North Canton Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit and an associated development review on Feb. 4 for new field lighting at the high school boys baseball stadium at 341 Weiss Avenue NE.
Todd Henny, speaking as the school's representative, told the commission the plan calls for six light poles ' two at 70 feet and four at 80 feet ' using Musco fixtures and matching a previously approved installation at the soccer/lacrosse field. "Musco company is, uh, probably the most respected light manufacturer," Henny said, and he added the project is "funded almost entirely by a private donor." He said the design targets about 50 foot‑candles on the infield and 30 on the outfield.
A nearby resident, John McConna of 623 7th Street, asked why the lights were needed if games could start in daylight and whether the school intended to schedule late‑night rentals. "If you're putting up the lights, why can't they play at night instead of playing at 4 in the afternoon?" McConna asked, pressing the applicant on likely start and end times for evening games and on rental pricing and competition.
Commissioner Martin, participating by phone, asked whether the city's codified ordinances limit light spill onto adjacent residential property. "It does," a speaker replied, citing a limitation to "0.5 foot candle across the property line particularly where it's residential." Presenters and staff pointed to the photometric materials; one diagram showed a scan average illumination of 0.0488 and the group discussed that the study indicates levels under the 0.5 foot‑candle threshold at most off‑site locations.
Staff recommended approval. After brief discussion, a motion to approve the conditional use application as submitted passed on roll call with Mr. Sarah, Mr. Leage, Mr. Reid and Mr. Mahalsson voting yes.
The commission then opened and approved a related development review (DPLN‑26‑1) for the same lighting work at 351 Wise Avenue NE. Commissioners again recorded roll call yes votes and approved the application. The meeting adjourned following completion of that agenda item.
Authorities and next steps noted in the meeting record include reliance on the submitted photometric study and the commission's finding that the proposal meets the cited light‑spill limit in the city's codified ordinances. No conditions or vote tallies beyond the roll call affirmations were recorded in the transcript.
