Expanded Night Use Of Farmington High Athletic Fields Irks Residents

FARMINGTON, CT— Plans to expand night usage of the turf athletic field at Farmington High School have garnered some opposition from area residents.

And, as a result, the Farmington Plan & Zoning Commission earlier this month opted not to act on a town special permit application to increase nighttime usage this fall.

Currently, FHS has approval to conduct 14 night games at different times this fall for multiple sports like football, soccer, etc., at the 10 Monteith Road school, which is in a residential zone.

But the Town of Farmington, listed as the official applicant for the special permit, hopes to add to that list of night events.

It envisions using FHS' field for local sports organizations like youth football, girls and boys lacrosse and some track programs, among others.

But area residents appeared reticent at the prospects of more night events and they claimed the proposal submitted by the town was "vague" in terms of how many more events would be held at night.

Farmington Assistant Town Manager Kat Krajewski, speaking before the PZC July 17, said there was not specific number of games/events sought.

Further discussions narrowed down that amount to about six additional night events, something Krajewski agree to.

Two residents speaking at the hearing and multiple residents submitting written correspondance expressed reservations about the application, re-iterating concerns it was vague and it was unknown, exactly, how many more times the field would be used at night.

The general concern is the neighborhood is already being impacted by construction of the new FHS and they had quality-of-life worries linked to expanded field usage at night.

Zoning board members said more information was needed and, as a result, members voted unanimously to continue the hearing on the application to Monday, July 31.

After the hearing is closed, the PZC will vote on the application, something that could happen as soon as Monday.

For the minutes of the July 17 Farmington Plan & Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.