By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Bluffton Exempted Village School District has submitted a petition for vacation of a section of Vine St. between N. Lawn Ave and N. Jackson St. for approximately 120 yards with the intention to create an artificial turf practice field.

A public hearing was held by the Village of Bluffton Streets and Alleys committee on Tuesday, March 25 to hear about the purpose of the request and to field questions and comments from area residents.

About ten people attended the meeting in addition to Mayor Richard Johnson, Superintendent Greg Denecker, committee members Joe Sehlhorst and Jerry Cupples, and Zoning Inspector (and Village Administrator) Jesse Blackburn.  MORE ▶︎

Denecker explained that the school district has acquired one residential property across Vine St. from Bluffton Elementary School and is interested in purchasing an adjacent home on Lawn Ave.

He explained that Bluffton athletic teams are increasingly playing on artificial turf at away games and would like to be able to practice on it as well. Spring sports also struggle with rainy, wet conditions for practices. The proposed artificial turn practice field would be available for use year round.

The school district proposes creating a fenced-in practice field of some 95 x 50 yards. There would be no bleachers or parking as part of the design.

Residents in attendance asked questions about how pedestrians would be accommodated and how the field would impact use of Vine St. and the alley that parallels Jackson and Lawn. They also observed that in heavy rain, water flows down Vine St. Individuals expressed concerns that the practice field would form a dam for storm water. 

The Superintendent said that gates would allow pedestrians but not bikes and scooters to cross the field after school and practice hours. Attendees observed that this section of Vine is a very popular route for pedestrians including Bluffton University students.

Residents asked how late the field would be used for practices and were told as late as about 8:00 or 8:30 p.m.

Committee member Joe Sehlhorst noted that the project needs to be assessed by engineers for both traffic and drainage impacts.

The committee passed a motion to move forward. The next step will be to proceed with a vacation proposal which provides a certified survey and legal description for the Zoning Inspector, who will present it to the Council of the Whole.