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Planning board approves lighting-height waiver for MRC courts to meet USTA grant specs, members raise dark-sky and wetlands concerns
Summary
Rockport planning board granted a waiver to allow 40-foot lighting poles at the MRC tennis courts to satisfy United States Tennis Association (USTA) grant requirements, after discussing alternatives that would require more poles and greater wetland intrusion. The waiver passed 3–0–1; the site-plan revision was also approved.
Representatives of MRC told the Rockport Planning Board they are revising a previously approved site plan to add outdoor tennis courts and seek a waiver to exceed the town’s 25-foot freestanding-light limit so the project can qualify for a U.S. Tennis Association (USTA/"USA" in the packet) grant.
"We're applying for a grant from the USA and ... we need the 40ft poles," Rick, representing MRC, said, explaining that the grant program’s specifications drove the requested pole height.
Engineer Andrew Hedrick outlined two options: use multiple 25-foot poles spaced along courts (which would require more poles, a wider footprint and additional work in wetlands) or place four 40-foot poles at the corners of the court area. MRC said the corner-pole option is more compact, minimizes wetland impacts and is the most economical given the work already completed.
Board members raised concerns about dark-sky protection, the visual impact of tall poles and how often lights would be used. Staff and the applicant presented a photometric plan and described fixtures as dark-sky compliant and shielded; the applicant noted existing tree lines (described in the packet as tall, 60–80-foot trees) would screen light outside the cleared site.
One board member asked about seasonality and hours of operation; MRC said usage would follow program demand and can be scheduled and controlled. Board members also discussed whether a waiver should be narrowly conditioned on timers or other controls to minimize after-hours light.
The board first voted on a waiver under the lighting section of the ordinance (801.7.4.C). The waiver vote was recorded as three in favor, none opposed and one abstention. The board then voted to approve the site-plan revision; recorded tallies indicate the revision passed with a majority and one abstention. Board members noted that if the project ultimately requires additional wetland work or expanded footprint due to design changes, permits and further review would be required.
The applicant said installation would not occur this year and the grant, if awarded, typically provides a one-year implementation window. The board asked staff to verify that final fixture specifications and photometric plans comply with the town’s horizontal-plane and dark-sky limits as part of permit conditions.
Documents provided with the application included the photometric plan and manufacturer information; board members asked staff for those details to be added to the record.
