Fence options considered

Andrew Edwards

Neighbors and school officials are hopeful a resolution could be in

the works to solve problems stemming from plans to install a high

fence around the Laguna Beach High School baseball field.

The Laguna Beach Unified School District board is expected to

discuss a possible compromise at their Tuesday meeting, school board

President El Hathaway said.

Hathaway said he did not yet know any specifics of proposals that

could go before the board. Hathaway and school board member Robert

Whalen have been meeting with a small group of representatives of

residents living on St. Ann’s Drive and nearby streets who are

worried the planned installation of a 30-foot fence around the

Breakers’ baseball field could wipe out their view of the Pacific.

“We’re just shocked by the height by the poles and the impact that

it has on our quaint neighborhood,” St. Ann’s Drive resident Stephen

Crawford said.

Since August, neighbors who were bitterly surprised by the poles

have tried to reach an accommodation with the school district, and

talks seem to be moving in a positive direction for residents.

“We’re feeling better about the situation,” Crawford said.

Possible solutions, Hathaway said, include lowering plans for the

centerfield fence to 20-feet, or even installing a retractable fence

that would go up at game time and be brought down when the team is

off the field.

“For a portion of [the field], that appears to be a viable

option,” Hathaway said.

An additional meeting between school board representatives and the

residents’ group to fine tune ideas is planned for tonight. Neighbors

are hoping the Friday meeting will set the stage for a successful

resolution by the school board.

“If no wrinkles occur there, the Tuesday board meeting is the one

we’re looking forward to,” neighbor Dan Smith said.

Residents met on Tuesday to prepare for tonight’s meeting.

The baseball field was reconfigured as part of a $3.2-million plan

to upgrade athletic facilities at the high school. As part of the

plan, the baseball field was turned around so the outfield is

adjacent to St. Ann’s Drive, and the tall fence was designed to keep

home runs from slamming into homes.

A 30-foot tall fence is the accepted standard for the section of

the field that curves from first to third base behind home plate,

Hathaway said. There are no standards for the remainder of the field,

but the 30-foot net would remain along right field, to keep balls

from flying onto Wilson Street. The same height is planned for the

left field line for this season, though that fence could come down

about five feet next year if school officials decide it would be safe

to do so.

The school district has not set aside any money to fix the

problem, Assistant Supt. for Business Services Norma Shelton said.

The district would have to find out how much a proposal would cost

and then find out how much money is available and keep in mind that

work to assuage neighbors’ concerns could delay other projects.