Austin ISD plans new field at Burger Center

The project would replace 40,000 square feet of pavement with artificial turf; the rock and sand layers under the turf retain water and would reduce stormwater runoff, Rouse said.

He said that advancements in lighting technology allow for less light pollution for the surrounding neighborhoods. Cardona said there will be time for residents and staff to weigh in on the lighting plans before the lights are turned on for the first time.

Billed as a soccer field, the district estimates that the field may draw 800 people for high school football games, 500 people for middle school junior varsity football games, 300 people for middle and high school lacrosse games and 250 for middle and high school soccer games, as well as possible soccer tournaments.

Rouse said the district is in talks with the new owners of the Cannoli Joe's restaurant site to connect the properties.

Sunset Valley staff recommended approval of the preliminary site plan.

Katy Phillips, the city's director of Public Works and Environmental Services, said the project would reduce the site's impervious cover—the amount of land where rain cannot reenter the soil—by 2 percent.

Cardona praised AISD for being responsive to the city. She noted that the city has previously asked AISD to move some of the buses to a different site.

"My personal perspective is that we should be happy about this," she said. "Once they remove the buses and build a soccer field, they cannot bring the buses back."