School Field to Be Lighted Over Protests

Despite protests from neighbors, the City Council voted to erect 12 light standards for the baseball field at Crown Valley Elementary School.

A dozen homeowners spoke at the council meeting this week against the lighting of the baseball field.

Most complained that the noise from Little League games and the glare of the lamps would be unpleasant and lower their property values.

“My weekends were ruined when field improvements were made,” said Todd Holliday, who lives near the elementary school.

Homeowners also complained that lighting the field would result in heavier traffic and an increase in crime.

But council members voted to erect nine lights around the field, each on poles about 60 feet tall, which may remain on until 9:45 p.m. Council member Eddie Rose cast the only dissenting vote.

The lighting of Crown Valley is part of the city’s plan to accommodate the increase in Little League participation through the year 2005.

Demand for field space during the season was so great this year that the league said it may have to turn away children next season.

The Little League baseball season lasts from February to June, and most games do not last past 9 p.m., said Dan Seeley, Laguna Niguel Little League president.

Seeley also said that games usually do not take place on Saturday or Sunday nights, a prime concern of homeowners.