Council Receives Burke Hall Lighting Appeal

At its meeting Wednesday, the Granville Village Council will hold an appeal hearing of the Planning Commission's decision on Denison University's plan for lighting Burke Hall. The appeal was brought by Jack Thornborough. Thornborough will be out of the country, but has submitted his appeal in written form and it is presented here.

Thornborough argues that Village Council should either reverse the Planning Commission's decision or remand it back to them with instructions to moderate the amount of light and the times when the lights will be turned on.

In his appeal document, Thornborough states:

"My appeal is based, not on errors in law, but on errors in interpretation of the intent of the law. The AROD code provides you with the leeway to apply your judgment. The decision before you is basically a judgment call.

"You must decide if it makes good sense to light up Burke Hall in a manner unlike any other building in the historic district.

"You must decide if it is possible for the lighting to be "low level" according to the spirit of our law.

"You must decide if after forty years, the building suddenly requires more light so people can find it for events.

"You must decide if, of all the buildings to light up in the historic district, this is the one."

Click here to view Thornborough's complete appeal document.

Denison University had proposed placing floodlights around the
modernist performing arts center to light its windowless, white, brick
exterior. The Planning Commission approved the plan at its meeting May
12.

Click here to view Denison's revised Burke Hall lighting plan.

Click here to view Denison's original (advertised) Burke Hall lighting plan.

Click here to view Denison's original (advertised) Burke Hall lighting fixtures.

See previous stories about the Burke Hall lighting: