DANA POINT : Planning Unit OKs Playing-Field Upgrades

The city Planning Commission has approved a controversial plan to upgrade the sports fields at Dana Hills High School.

At a public hearing Wednesday, the commission approved a conditional use permit for the construction of new field lights and a multipurpose sports field at Street of the Golden Lantern and Acapulco Drive. The $1.1-million project includes construction of a concession stand and bleachers and upgrading of existing baseball fields.

Before a standing-room-only audience, about 10 residents who live near the school told the commission that they object to the improvements. They said that the new field lighting will spill over to homes in the neighborhood and that an expansion of the sports facilities will bring noise, traffic and crime.

But Bonnie Nicholl, community services manager, said the city is in desperate need of more sports facilities.

“If Dana Point doesn’t start contributing to the active fields in the South County area, then other cities may consider charging non-resident fees for the use of their fields,” Nicholl said. Currently, there are not enough fields in Dana Point to accommodate the growing number of youth sports, Nicholl said.

In an effort to minimize impacts on the neighbors, the plan calls for the 70-foot field lights to be pointed away from the neighborhood and to be automatically shut off at 9 p.m. every night. In addition, no organized adult leagues could use the facilities.

Under an agreement with the Capistrano Valley Unified School District, the city will oversee the use of the fields weekdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and on the weekends. The school district will use the facilities weekdays until 4 p.m.

The City Council is expected to begin seeking bids Tuesday for the construction.