December 20, 2018
Edgewood High School says…
Edgewood High School wants…better and more strategic usage of this important community resource
What Edgewood High School isn’t Telling You…
A stadium would only be better strategy for their institution, not the City or its residents. Professional estimates are that games would be audible in the UW Arboretum and on the surface of Lake Wingra. How could that be beneficial to Madison? Madison does not need a stadium so close to these incredible natural features. Compromising the Arboretum or Lake Wingra by inviting stadium noise and light would be a poor strategy for the City.
Edgewood High School says…
“Advancements in both lighting and sound technology have made it possible to ensure that two of the major neighborhood concerns we acknowledged early in the Campus Master Plan process — light and sound — could now be addressed…”
What Edgewood High School isn’t Telling You…
Edgewood has ignored neighbor concerns about crowd noise. By focusing only on amplified sound, Edgewood is trying to obscure a major disruptor to quality of life for neighbors — crowd noise — and draw attention away from the noise they cannot control. With some neighboring properties less than 100 feet from the field, and no buffer in between, every shout and whistle is audible. Listen to recordings here.
Edgewood High School says…
“…new technology, along with the height of the poles in our plans, will ensure that lighting from the limited number of night games will not go beyond our property.”
What Edgewood High School isn’t Telling You…
Even new technology cannot significantly prevent sky glow from being visible at great distances. To understand sky glow and why the proposed lights would cause it, see the science from the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute we’ve posted here.
Edgewood High School says…
“…light and sound — could now be addressed in a fashion that not only meets, but exceeds the City of Madison requirements.”
What Edgewood High School isn’t Telling You…
The City doesn’t have any requirements that apply to the kind of light and noise pollution that stadiums generate. As pointed out by City zoning administrator Matt Tucker during Edgewood’s neighborhood presentation, City ordinances only regulate sky glow for parking lots. Similarly, Mr. Tucker noted that noise is only regulated for industrial noise or machinery like air conditioning units.
Edgewood High School says…
“Edgewood High School has a nearly 100 year history of using its athletic facilities for physical education classes, practices and daytime sports events.”
What Edgewood High School isn’t Telling You…
Edgewood entered into an agreement with the City of Madison in 2015 that precluded uses other than team practices and physical education classes. The Campus Master Plan is that agreement, and was reached at the conclusion of a long process of discussion with neighbors. In 2018, the City of Madison formally notified Edgewood that their use of the field for competition is not permitted; Edgewood has been instructed to submit their intended 2019 usage calendar to the City in order to monitor for noncompliant uses of the field.
Edgewood High School says…
“Edgewood High School has a decades-long history of using its athletic facilities not only for practice purposes, but actually hosting day-time sporting events and allowing access to the community for recreational purposes.”
What Edgewood High School isn’t Telling You…
Resurfacing of the field in 2015 has led to a surprising and significant increased use and disruption to neighbors. For the past couple years, neighbors have called police and emailed Alders, Edgewood, and neighborhood liaisons.
What you can do…
Get involved. Tell the Mayor, City Council and your alder to vote NO on this proposal! Tell the Plan Committee to vote NO on this proposal!
We are aware that yard signs have been vandalized and stolen. We still have some left or you can DIY here.
All Edgewood High School quotes are from their online FAQ or their Facts about the Proposed Changes leaflet.