Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School will get to light Baker Field for its homecoming football game on Oct. 3 after the Sandy Springs City Council voted to approve a special event permit.
At the Sept. 2 meeting, City Council member Andy Bauman made the motion to overturn the denial of the permit by staff.
“This doesn’t rewrite our rules or alter conditional use restrictions. It doesn’t bind future decisions, but it does show that we can support our students, their families, and the enriching pursuits on the field, on the stage, in service that shape young people into thriving adults. This is our chance to uplift, not polarize,” Bauman said.
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James Carper, a senior at Holy Innocents’, has been playing football there since middle school. He spoke in support of the special event permit.
“Like so many of my teammates, I’ve always dreamed of running out under the lights for a Friday night game on our own field,” Carper said. “For us, this isn’t just about football; it’s about sharing that memory with our families and classmates on our own field. We only get one senior year, and it would mean the world for me and all the Golden Bears to experience Friday Night Lights at Holy Innocents’ before we graduate.”
City Manager Eden Freeman explained staff’s position that the school operates under a conditional use permit (CUP) granted by the city council in December 2009. That CUP prohibits lighting on the football field. Community Development Director Ginger Sottile denied the special event permit on July 31 based on that provision. After Holy Innocents’ appealed that decision to the city manager, Freeman upheld the permit denial.
The permit was opposed by several residents, including Steve Leeds, president of the ARIA West Community Association. He worried that the city is moving away from its development code visions and guidelines created with community involvement.
Ronda Smith, president of the Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods, spoke on behalf of its board. She said the city zoning code does not have a provision for variance, either administratively or by public process.
Smith said the land use condition can only be amended by the full conditional use permit process that includes two community meetings and two public hearings.
Head of School Paul Barton told the city council that football began at Holy Innocents’ 20 years ago. He said they expect less traffic than previous homecomings since they are not playing a nearby rival. The game will be against Hapeville Charter School.
A detailed traffic plan has been developed, and no marching band will attend the game. The sound will be the crowd and normal PA announcements. The lights will be on for the game, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., unless it goes into overtime. When the fans have safely left, the lights will be turned off.
Jennifer Mirgorod, chair of the Holy Innocents’ board of trustees, said Temple Sinai, which is located behind Baker Field, has supported the school’s homecoming event.
Council member Jody Reichel said this would be an opportunity for the school and the community to experience what lights would look like on the field.