Willow Glen Resident

News

Willow Glen High continues discussion on night lights

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Willow Glen High School held the second in a series of community meetings on Jan. 11 to gather community input on the district's proposal to install stadium lighting at the high school's fields.

"There was generally a positive feeling from the attendees," said Willow Glen High School Principal Elaine Farace.

San Jose Unified School District construction manager Ty Williams reviewed the issues brought up at a Dec. 14 meeting.

Among residents' concerns were the overflow of traffic onto neighborhood streets and parking.

Williams said a traffic study would be done by independent traffic engineering firm Anderson & Associates, hired by consultants to the district, which would look at the availability of parking and the anticipated crowds at night games.

Concerns brought up at the meeting included noise, litter and how often the lights would be used, but residents were most vocal about traffic and parking.

Farace said one resident best described the community's response to the meeting: "There are issues and there will be problems, but together, let's work them out. This is a great opportunity to build spirit for the students and broader school community."

Williams said the lights would be used for only 10 games per school year, and outside organizations using the field would not have access to the facility at night.

Four lights are proposed for the high school, each 90 feet tall. The infrastructure is already in place.

The lights will use photometric technology. Each light will shine down into the field instead of across the fields or into a resident's yard.

According to Williams, it will cost $250,000 per site, with the funding coming from Measure C, a $165 million school district bond measure approved by voters in 1997. The issue should go before the school board in March.

Willow Glen's next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in the library/media center, room L-101, 2001 Cottle Ave. District officials will discuss the environmental report.