Plan Commissioners to Deliberate Memorial Lights Issue

There will be no vote on Memorial Lights at tonight's plan commission meeting but plan commissioners will likely share how they will vote on the issue. 

After months of listening to presentations and testimony, plan commissioners will discuss Glenbard Township High School District 87's variance request to install lights at Memorial Field.   

The district wants to install lights to increase the usage of the field but some neighbors are strongly opposed to the lights and how, or if, it would impact safety along Crescent Boulevard and their property values.

Below is a recap of the issue, which includes all the coverage at the plan commission level. After the plan commission decides on the issue, they will formulate an opinion to send to the Village of Trustees, who will then vote on the issue. Attached to this article are all the photos captured from the many plan commission meetings. 

Confused? Here's what's happening: 

 wants to install lights at Memorial Field to allow for extended use at night. 

First they need approval from Glen Ellyn's village board of trustees. Before the trustees vote on the issue, the plan commissioners will listen to testimony from experts, residents, and school district officials (tonight, Nov. 16, is one of the many plan commissions meetings). The plan commissioners will weigh the testimony from both sides in accordance with the village code, and will then send a recommendation to trustees. The trustees will then vote on the requested variance. It's unclear at this time when the trustees will get a chance to vote. Despite the outcome of the final vote, the opposition group collected enough signatures to send the issue to a non-binding, . 

Even more background: 

's request for variances to install the lights comes after the completion of phase one construction at Memorial Field, finished in the summer of 2010, which includes the installation of a synthetic turf. According to the district, the turf will allow for increased usage. Among the many enhancements, part of that $1.4 million project included installing an underground conduit for future lights. District 87 officials cite the need for a field that can operate longer due to the limited field space at the Glenbard West campus. The $300,000 project to install lights will be funded by donations, not taxpayers, according to the district.

Who's who? Here are some of the main players:

The group opposed to the installation of lights is Our Field, Our Town. 

Jim Ozog, is the attorney representing the group OFOT, while Kirk Burger is the president of the organization. Ozog is married to Mary Ozog, who is an elected member of the district 87 school board. The Ozogs live near Memorial Field. Some OFOT members that speak fairly often during meetings are Don Pydo and Tom Koprowski. 

Chris McClain, is the assistant superintendent for business services for district 87, and Jane Thorsen is the Glenbard West Principal. 

Musco Lighting, the firm tapped by the school district to erect the lights, represented by Ryan Marsh. 

Legat Architects, the designers of Memorial Field, represented by Patrick Brosnan. 

Julie Fullerton, plan commission chairman. 

Want even more? Below are the recaps from each meeting, listed in chronological order:

•  (announcement followed commission meeting)
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