Mitchell Park West Neighbors

Communications between City and MPWNA

this is the letter sent to the City re: basketball lights

Mitchell Park West Neighborhood Association
Tempe, Arizona 85281
April 6, 2009
Mark Richwine
Parks and Recreation Manager
City of Tempe
Parks and Recreation Department
3500 South Rural Road
Tempe, Arizona 85282

Mark,

The MPWNA Board has been contacted by neighborhood residents regarding problems with the new lighting in Mitchell Park for the basketball courts. As you know, residents living near the park have been working with the parks department for several years in an attempt to shield the existing light fixtures to minimize light trespass onto adjacent properties.

The existing basketball court lighting system was recently replaced with a new system. Despite neighbors’ efforts, the new lighting scheme was implemented with little or no involvement of the surrounding neighborhoods. Rather than work with the surrounding residents to find a ‘win-win’ solution, the City imposed uniform lighting standards on a small, unique neighborhood park.

Although a reduction in light trespass was requested by residents and promised by the City, the new scheme increased the number and height of light poles, thereby increasing light trespass. Although no increase in lighting intensity, use or hours of play was requested, this has been the result of the lighting changes. We do, however, recognize that night time playing conditions on the court have been improved for ball players and their families.

The following problems have been created for our neighborhood by this new lighting system:
• Light trespass into surrounding park spaces, neighborhood streets and residential properties.
• Increased lighting contrast ratios in park spaces and in spaces surrounding the park. This makes it harder to see in areas beyond the basketball court, reducing security and quality of experience in these spaces.
• Increased stress and diminished quality of life for longtime, valued residents of our neighborhood.
• Possible reduction of property values for properties near the park.
• The possible creation of a regional amenity that results in more intensive use in a small scale park.
• Wasteful use of electrical power. Once the court lights are turned on, they stay on until the park closes, whether there are players on the court or not. Some people have been observed turning on the court lights to sit at the nearby table and read. Others have been observed turning on the court lights to play soccer on the nearby soccer field.
• It appears that some of the electrical work is unsafe. The wiring raceway at the lighting control is unsecure. The junction box at the base of an existing light pole is held closed with duct tape.

As you are aware, the changes made to our park are of serious consequence to the nearby residents of the park as well as to users of the park. We have discovered through this incident that the application of uniform standards to all parks in Tempe might not be the most appropriate or sensitive way to improve our parks.

The Mitchell Park West Neighborhood Association Board requests that the Parks and Recreation Department consider the above issues and respond to the Board with proposed solutions to each of the listed issues.

Thank you for your assistance with this important matter. We look forward to your response.


MPWNA
Parks and Recreation Sub-Committee

and, here is the response

Conversation: Mitchell Park Basketball Court Lighting
Subject: RE: Mitchell Park Basketball Court Lighting

Bob, Sam and I met toady to review your correspondence and the current
status of the basketball lights. I will address the bullet points
presented. In saying that, I had hoped for more discussion of a process
to engage the neighborhood in communication both for the current
circumstance and in the future. Based on the outcome of our recent
meeting, I think we all mutually agreed that we needed a coherent plan
on how to move forward from where we are that was inclusive of the
neighborhood.

Point 1 - As stated in our previous meeting, trespass pass light does
exist within the immediate vicinity of the basketball court. However,
there is no trespass light that travels to neighboring streets nor
residential properties. The full cut-off fixtures used and the
reflector in each control the light more effectively and efficiently
than the previous system. With the change to metal halide lamps and
higher poles, the light is definitely more visible than before and is a
substantial contrast to the high pressure sodium lights used elsewhere
in the park.

Point 2 - Improved lighting only enhances security and actually makes it
easier to see the activity on the basketball court. I can not quantify
the impact to individual experiences and will not contest the point
being made. We have heard specifically from those who have communicated
a diminished experience, but others who use the lights to extend the use
of the soccer field, read, or just receive an improved facility for ball
play may feel that they have received an enhanced experience.

Point 3 - Again, we won't contest this point. We agree that we have
heard from residents who believe they have been negatively impacted.
Our purpose is to pursue a mutually agreeable solution to move forward
and to guide future decision making.

Point 4 - Unknown as to the affect on individual property value. As in
points above, we agree that the lighting has negatively impacted the
park experience for some and are willing to work to reach a more
balanced solution.

Point 5 - Tempe has basketball courts in almost every neighborhood park.
While improved lighting may increase use and play at Mitchell, it is
unlikely that citizens would not use the facility closest to their home
that offers like experiences.

Point 6 - Yes and no. HID lighting is most expensive turning on and the
electrical use diminishes once the lights have reached normal operating
temperature then remains constant. Turning them on/off several times
during the night is more inefficient. However, if they are neither
turned on or turned off earlier, or something similar, there would be
measureable savings.

Point 7 - We will have our electrician look into. The work performed
was by a contractor of the City and all work should have been done to
code.

Since we last met, we have also made some minor changes to the landscape
by adding more mature trees in place of those lost during summer storms.
Our lighting designer is also looking at the fixtures to see if
different reflectors can be use to more narrowly focus the light.
Additionally, we are still open and receptive to the notion of limiting
the days or hours of use, but are seeking some involvement from the
neighborhood in the discussion before taking action. The changes could
be for any interval deemed appropriate to measure impact and could
become final at any point that the neighborhood felt appropriate balance
had been achieved.

We very much want to provide viable solutions to the points you have
raised. However, I think we mutually agreed when we met there needed to
be a mechanism for neighborhood involvement. We are very open to what
the mechanism and process should be. With that in mind, we would be
glad to open the discussion to solutions and are willing to propose
some, solicit others and debate them until a reasonable consensus is
reached.

At this point, if you desire these proposed solutions be directed solely
to the Board as presented in your correspondence, we will gladly address
them in that manner.

Mark Richwine

The board's follow up

The board will ask the City to facilitate a meeting between the City and all area neighbors to allow time for consideration of the issue, based on input from all interested parties.