Correction: A previous version of this article listed inaccurate information that was based on information listed on the City of Sandy Springs website. The Mount Vernon School has not applied for a permit. It is in pre-application discussions with the city and the community that would make it eligible to file an application to amend an existing permit this month.
Mount Vernon Woods residents have come out in opposition to a proposal to install lights at Mount Vernon School’s athletic field,
Mount Vernon School confirmed that it sought permission to install lights on its existing athletic field. Residents say it goes back on long-standing agreements the school leaders made with its neighbors.
“The school is seeking a limited proposal to add lights to Ron Hill Field. We have been in dialogue with our neighbors and are exploring measures to limit the impact on our neighbors in relation to lights and audio, security, and buffers along our property lines,” Head of School Kristy Lundstrom told Rough Draft.
Kimberly Oliver, who is president of the Mount Vernon Woods Community Association, said the neighborhood doesn’t want changes to agreements made when the Mount Vernon Presbyterian obtained land at 510 Mount Vernon Highway to build the campus. These agreements restricted lights and set hours for band practice on the campus. When 10 more acres of adjacent property were added to the campus, updated agreements kept the restrictions.
Oliver and the vice president of the Mount Vernon Woods HOA meet with the CEO and head of school in July 2023 to learn about the school’s plans. The HOA leaders told the school that they weren’t interested in modifying the agreements restricting lights.
“What’s changed for us as a neighborhood and what are the benefits to us as a neighborhood?” Oliver asked school leaders.
In November 2023 the school invited the homeowners whose property is adjacent to the school’s property and the majority did not want the lights, Oliver said. The school began talks with the city about amending the existing use permit application for the lights and it was given a plan number (U23-0004) by city staff on Dec. 19. A letter notifying the neighborhood of the application and community meetings was mailed in January.
“We always had a good working relationship with the school until the last couple of years,” Oliver said.
Neighbors and other community members are invited to a community information meeting hosted by Mount Vernon School at 6 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the school’s upper campus (virtual option). Tentative dates were listed by the city for meetings if an application to amend the conditional use permit is filed: A second meeting would be held at 6 p.m. on March 21 at Sandy Springs City Hall at 1 Galambos Way (virtual option). The planning commission would hold a public hearing on May 22 with the city council holding a hearing on June 18.
“The Mount Vernon School has lived in the heart of Sandy Springs for more than 50 years,” Lundstrom said. “We want to continue to be engaged and responsive partners with our neighbors while continuing to meet the needs of the school community, and, to allow students to have a school experience filled with deep learning and moments of joy.”
