The Covington City Council has approved a buffer variance request at the appeal of the Newton County Recreation Commission to make way for a special needs baseball field at City Pond Park.Speaking before the council last Monday, Tommy Hailey, director of the Recreation Commission, said the variance request was needed because there is not enough space in the plans for the baseball field, known as a Miracle Field, to allow for the 150 feet of undisturbed buffer space from the City Pond reservoir as required by city ordinance. The council voted unanimously to allow an encroachment by Miracle