Little League Lights Topic of Ward 2 Public Hearing Today

Editor's note: Tonight's meeting has been canceled. Check back with North Canton Patch for more information.

City officials hope to broker an agreement between the North Canton Little League and Ward 2 residents during a public hearing today.

Ward 2 Councilman Daniel "Jeff" Peters said he hopes residents and Little League officials can settle their differences about proposed overhead lighting at the fields.

The meeting kicks off at 4 p.m. inside Council Chambers in North Canton City Hall, 145 N. Main St. It follows a public hearing that took place Monday night inside City Council Chambers in which residents and Little League officials shared their insights into the addition of the lights.

But, the addition of overhead lighting isn't just about the nuisance of lights when it comes to nearby residents. Residents are concerned nighttime play would increase the number of cars in the parking lot, which fills quickly, causing people to park illegally in the neighborhoods and walk to the ball fields. It would also mean they would hear the loud speaker after dark.

"I quickly realized it really wasn't the lights that was the issue," Peters said Tuesday. "It was everything else."

Peters said city administration had made a promise to one resident — who lives closest to the fields and has been a vocal opponent to the lights — when the lease was signed years ago. Overhead lighting is not included in the lease.

The resident was under the impression mounds 18-24 feet high would be created along Maple Street to act as sight and sound barriers, Peters said. And trees would be placed on those mounds. Peters said the mounds now are 4-6 feet high. 

Peters said he and Councilwoman-at-large Stephanie Snow-Werren will attend the meeting as well as Paul Young, treasurer of the North Canton Little League, and other city officials.

"I think we can get a resolution pretty quickly," he said.

Council will hear from the Little League's Board of Directors at its Feb. 19 meeting. Council President Jon Snyder said the board will have put together details about the lights and when the lights will be used, among other information.