A lawsuit trying to preserve the use of Lewinsville Park for local athletic groups was presented to a three-justice panel of the Virginia Supreme Court last Wednesday, but it is not yet certain if the case will be presented to the full court.
Residents near Lewinsville Park have complained about use of the fields by Marymount University’s athletic teams, mainly the men’s and women’s soccer teams, which prevents local soccer teams from using the fields. In addition, the lighting on those fields is so bright that neighbors have complained about the brightness in the late evening hours.
“As long as one member of that three-justice panel votes the full court should hear the case, it will be heard,” said Frank Crandall, chairman of the McLean Citizens Association’s Environment, Parks and Recreation Committee. The Supreme Court is made up of seven judges.
“The appeal was made by the Board of Zoning Appeals and the lawyer for the Lewinsville residents,” said Jack Hannon, president of the West Lewinsville homeowners civic association. “It’s always difficult to predict how it will come out, but we’ll probably know within the next week or so.”
He said that although only one judge’s request is needed for the case to be heard by the full court, it is still rare. “Only one out of every five appeals gets a full hearing,” he said.