AgdaPkt 2015-09-21 Joint Special SAF PAF

Browse Search

Red Morton Community Park Sports Lighting Initial Study City of Redwood City 22 June 2015 The project site is located in an area developed with urban uses. While the proposed project would affect the nighttime views of the project site, existing light sources, including sports lighting on McGarvey Field, Bechet/Griffin Field, and the tennis courts, currently affect nighttime views of the project area. Additionally, parking lot lights and security lights are used around the perimeter of the park. The existing sports lighting in the park is currently the brightest source of light in the surrounding neighborhood, with light levels measured up to 53 footcandles in the infield area of the baseball diamond on Betchet/Griffin Field. Existing ambient light levels on the currently unlighted Mitchell Field range from 0.2 to 0.4 footcandles. The lighting proposed by the project would average 50 footcandles in the infield areas of the baseball/softball diamonds on Mitchell Field and Betchet/Griffin Field, and 30 footcandles in the outfield areas that are also used for soccer and other field sports. Individual locations within the infield areas of the baseball/softball diamonds near the pitcher’s mound could reach up to 62 footcandles. The proposed lighting on the tennis courts would average 40 footcandles, with certain individual locations receiving up to 54 footcandles. Although light levels may be slightly higher in certain parts of the fields and tennis courts, the more modern light fixtures proposed by the project would reduce spill light on surrounding areas, as described in further detail in Section 4.1.2.3, below, As described previously, the hours of operation for the Bechet/Griffin Field and the tennis court facility would not change with the project. Mitchell Field, which currently ope rates only until dusk, would be allowed to operate until 10:30 PM up to seven days per week with the proposed installation of new sports lighting. The light levels that would result from the proposed project would be similar to existing light levels on the site due to existing sports lighting. As a result, the proposed project would not be expected to substantially affect nighttime views in the project area or substantially degrade the character of the project site and surrounding area. 4.1.2.3 Spill Light from the Proposed Project The project would replace existing sports lighting on Bechet/Griffin Field and the tennis courts. As shown on Figure 4.1-11, spill light from the proposed replacement lights would not reach outside of the park boundaries. As a result, the replacement of these lights would not increase spill light levels in the project vicinity. When in use, the proposed lighting on Mitchell Field would increase existing nighttime light levels in the immediately surrounding area. The proposed light fixtures would be angled downward and would include light visors and light hoods to direct the light down onto the field and minimize the amount of spill light onto adjacent streets and residences. These same features also restrict a person from seeing the arc tube (the brightest part of the light) from the areas surrounding the playing field. Even with these features, some spill light from the proposed project would result, due to the reflection off the playing field and other surfaces below the lights. The nearest residences to the proposed new lighting on Mitchell field are located on Myrtle Street to the north and Madison Avenue to the west. The resulting spill light during operation of the proposed lights was calculated and is shown in Figure 4.1-10. As shown on Figure 4.1-10, the spill light would affect the four southernmost residences on Myrtle Street. Moving from south to north, these residences would receive spill light levels of up to 0.7, 0.5, 0.2, and 0.1 footcandles, respectively, at the property line. These spill light levels would occur in the front yards of these residences, which are closet to the proposed lights on Mitchell Field. By the time the spill light reaches the actual 8.A. - Page 39