Important decisions concerning the Ingraham High School field will be made this month. Our group, Neighbors of Ingraham High School, has filed an appeal of the Cityıs decision to grant a Master Use Permit that will convert the field from a high school and neighborhood facility into a regional recreation complex.

The School Districtıs determination of non-significance was appealed last fall. The hearing examiner sustained that determination, but in doing so placed four weak conditions on the project.

These conditions are a step in the right direction but they do not go far enough to protect our neighborhood from the parking, traffic and noise impacts of this project.

The appeal is scheduled to go before the Cityıs hearing examiner Feb. 6. Contributions to the legal defense fund are needed. They can be sent to: Neighbors of Ingraham H.S. c/o Wess Jackson, Treasurer, P.O. Box 31106, Seattle, 98103-1106.

The other issue still to be resolved concerns lighting. The City has proposed a code amendment that will permit light poles as tall as 10-story buildings to be installed on the Ingraham field. The School District has indicated these lights are not needed for Ingraham High School purposes, they are primarily for organized leagues and other groups. Citizens have questioned the legality of using school levy funds to pay for facilities that will do nothing to improve the education of our children.

With lights the Park Department plans to rent out the Ingraham field every night possible. This will greatly limit neighborhood use of the field by local residents who are looking for a quiet place to go for a walk, play with their children, or have a neighborhood softball game. If you are interested in providing input, please contact the City Council.

‹ CHARLES PRESTRUD,

Neighbors of Ingraham High School