Lower Burrell's zoning board Monday granted permission to the Little League to illuminate one of the ABC Fields in Braeburn Heights.
League president Dr. Matthew Fisher couldn't offer a timeframe for when lights might be installed. He said grants or corporate donations will be needed to make the lights a reality.
The league wants to install four 60- to 70-foot poles with directional field lights at what is known as “A” field near Applewood Drive. League officials said they will contract with Little League-approved vendor Musco Sports Lighting to design lights to prevent glare onto nearby properties.
Although the Lower Burrell Little League doesn't have the level of participation it had years ago, Fisher said the league has grown by about 70 players in recent years to 270 children.
The larger roster of teams sometimes make it difficult for the league to fit in games before dusk.
Lights would allow the league to extend playing time, especially in the fall when sundown occurs earlier and in the summer when the organization isn't under Little League requirements to cease playing about 8 p.m. on school nights.
In granting the special exception permitting the lights, the zoning board set restrictions including limits that no inning can start after 10 p.m., the lights must be inspected annually, and any new technology that further reduces glare should be implemented.
The exception was approved in a 3-0-2 vote with Chairman George Guido and member Ben King abstaining. Guido recused himself because he is involved with the regional Little League and once was president of Lower Burrell's league; King said he is a neighbor of one of the objecting property owners.
About a half-dozen neighbors attended a public hearing on the issue in May to voice their concerns that the illuminated fields would ruin the rural character of their neighborhood.
They feared extending playing time would exacerbate existing problems including litter, traffic, parking and trespassing.
Guido noted the objecting residents have 30 days to appeal the board's decision to Westmoreland County Court. Likewise, the league could appeal if it disagrees with the board's restrictions.
Guido said if the board had denied the light request and the Little League won a court appeal, the lights could have been granted with none of the restrictions the board established.
Board members John Millburn, Chuck Stapinski and Charlie Markle said they felt the lights would benefit children.
“I feel it's better to have the kids on the fields than on the streets,” Stapinski said.
Liz Hayes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4680 or lhayes@tribweb.com.
