Parks panel split on lights choices

The Costa Mesa parks and recreation commission on Wednesday chose to consider three options for providing temporary lights at athletic fields. The lights are needed for youth sports practices in the fall.

The commission voted, 3-2, with Chairwoman Wendy Leece and commissioner Mark Harris opposing commissioner Byron De Arakal’s suggestions.

The options De Arakal suggested are the following: Option one is to light two fields at Costa Mesa’s Farm Sports Complex and two fields at the Balearic Community Center; option two is to light two fields at the Farm, one at the Balearic center, and a utility field at Costa Mesa High School; option three includes putting lights at fields three and four at the Farm, at a field at Davis Elementary School and at a field at the Balearic center.

Before the commission approved the options, Harris made a motion to not place lights at the Balearic center. Harris said he was concerned about the effect the temporary lights would have on neighbors near the community center. His motion was defeated by a 3-2 vote, with he and Leece voting together.

Six residents, including sports organization representatives, spoke at the meeting about the need for more athletic fields and about possible complaints from residents. One resident asked how bright the lights would be, but the lights haven’t been bought yet, so city staffers couldn’t answer him.

Those residents, as well as neighbors who live near the chosen fields, will have a chance to voice their concerns at an August meeting.

The City Council directed the commission to pick four fields to light after allocating $100,000 to buy the portable lights in the city’s 2006-07 budget.

The subject of providing lighting for athletic fields has prompted heated discussions at meetings.

City staffers are working on a permanent solution, which may take up to 10 months, for lighting fields. That timeframe includes a design, an environmental review and installation of the lights.