Residents hoping to use Irwin Park for baseball, soccer or other small-scale events will have less red tape to cut next summer. A vote Tuesday by the Planning and Zoning Commission gives the Parks and Recreation Commission a long-sought special permit to approve events hosted by recreational and athletic groups. Previously, all groups had to go through the parks commission as well as the planning and zoning commission.
The unanimous approval included several conditions, including that the parks and rec commission prepare a report every December summarizing the programs and groups from the previous year, anticipated changes to those plans and anticipated changes to the park's facilities. The approval also prohibits the use of loudspeakers and other noise-amplifying devices and mandates that sports fields can be used on weekends from 9 a.m. to sunset when Irwin Park closes. Proposed play structures, such as swing sets, will still need to be approved by the PZC.
"They (parks and rec) will have to come back to us other than for day-to-day activities described in the master plan," PZC Chairman Laszlo Papp said. Games such as soccer, baseball and lacrosse will be allowed, "but they have to comply with the permit."
Parks and recreation officials wanted the permit to streamline the approval process for events. At previous PZC meetings, Irwin Park neighbors objected to elimination of the PZC approval, fearing that would open the door to events that would disturb the neighborhood.
Papp said the PZC had to balance the parks commission's desire to cut red tape with the concerns of neighbors, especially because Irwin Park is in a residential zone. Parks commission members Bob Rogers and Steve Benko did not comment on the decision because they have yet to see the language of the permit.
Is there an event you would like to hold at Irwin Park? Do you live near the park? What do you think of the new policy?
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