HomeMy WebLinkAbout03142019 ZPC Agenda Item 7 Exhibit"A"
Amend Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances by replacing Section 8-107 in its entirety with the
following:
Section 8-107. Outdoor Lighting
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to enhance the visual environment of the City while also
promoting the safety and continued well-being of the community by:
(1) Preventing the trespass of artificial light onto rights-of-way, residential properties, and
nonresidential properties in ways that constitute a hazard to public safety or interference with
the use,value, and enjoyment of the property;
(2) Conserving energy and resources consistent with the goals of the State Energy Conservation
Office;
(3) Helping to minimize heat generation resulting in higher temperatures during night-time hours;
and
(4) Helping to minimize the City's carbon footprint.
(b) Applicability. The standards of this Section apply to all outdoor lighting except as provided in
Subsections(d)and (j) below. This includes, but is not limited to, new lighting, replacement lighting,
or any other lighting whether attached to structures, poles, the earth, or any other location,
including lighting installed by any third party.
(c) Effective Date. The effective date of , 2019 shall be the date when this Section enters into the
full force of law.
(d) Exemptions.The following types of lighting are exempt from the requirements of this Section:
(1) A streetlight approved by the City for the purposes of illuminating public streets, sidewalks, and
public facilities;
(2) An official traffic light or signal;
(3) Lighting required by law to be equipped on vehicles;
(4) An emergency light used temporarily(not longer than the emergency conditions involved);
(5) A decorative holiday light used temporarily(not more than 45 days out of any 365-day period);
(6) A security light requested or consented to by the current owner of or person in control of the
building that is illuminated;and
(7) A device illuminating a sports field.
(e) Light Fixture Type. Light fixtures shall be: (see Figure 8-107.1, Types of Light Fixtures)
(1) "Full Cut-off"fixtures that limit lighting that is visible or measurable at the property line;
(2) Of constant intensity;
(3) Reflected or shielded so as not to:
(i) Be of excessive brightness;
(ii) Cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or drivers;
(iii) Create any public or private nuisance;or
(iv) Unreasonably interfere with an abutting property owner's right to enjoy their property.
(4) "No cut-off"fixtures, used only for decorative purposes, provided:
(i) They have light fixtures that produce no more than 1,000 lumens (approximately equal to
a 75-watt incandescent bulb);
(ii) They have a maximum height of 12 feet; and
(iii) They use energy-efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescent(CF) and light-emitting diode
(LED).
Figure 8-107.1
Types of Light Fixtures
' CUT-OFF FIXTURE
• i TOTAL CUT-OFF
LUMINAIRE PEAK �.
•° CANDLEPQI ER 4 t p�
4C9
ry 410
6�
100%OFR
LIGHT OUTPUT
NO CUT-OFF CUT-OFF FIXTURE
LIMINAIRE LESS THAN 90'
(f) Cut-Off Requirements.
(1) Full Cut-Off. Except as otherwise allowed for in this Section,all lighting(including, but not
limited to vehicle use areas,canopies, security,walkway, landscaping, signs,outdoor display
areas, and building)shall have 100 percent of its output below 90 degrees from a vertical line
through the fixture.
(2) Adjacent to Residential.All lighting fixtures that are mounted on a building wall facing a
property line adjacent to a residential property line or public right-of-way boundary shall be
fitted with a "house side shielding" reflector on the side facing the residential property line or
public right-of-way.
(3) Flags and Statutes. Light fixtures used to illuminate flags, statues,or any other objects mounted
on a pole, pedestal,or platform shall use a narrow cone beam of light that will not extend
beyond the illuminated object.
(4) Not Visible Above Roofline. For upward-directed architectural, landscape,and decorative
lighting,direct light emissions shall not be visible above the primary building roofline.
(g) Maximum Fixture Height.
(1) Freestanding Fixtures. No freestanding light fixture shall be greater than 8 feet in height.
(2) Fixtures Mounted on Residential Buildings and Accessory Structures. Fixtures that are mounted
on residential buildings or accessory structures shall not be located higher than 12 feet or above
the lowest point of the roof eave,whichever is lower.
(3) Fixtures Mounted on Nonresidential Buildings.
(i) Mounted light fixtures shall not be located above the highest point of the roofline of any
building.
(ii) Full cut-off fixtures shall have a maximum height of 25 feet.
(iii) No cut-off fixtures:
(1) Shall have a maximum height of 20 feet;and
(2) Are not permitted on any side of a building that faces or abuts a residential property line.
(j) Nonconforming Outdoor Lighting. All existing nonconforming light fixtures and light fixture heights
as of the effective date of this Section [See Subsection (c)] shall be removed or altered to comply
with the standards established in this Section by or before December 31, 2023.
Amend Article 2. Definitions and Interpretations by adding the following terms to section 2-102.
Certain terms.
Definitions.
(1) Abutting means two or more lots sharing the same or common property lines. This term does
not include lots separated by a street or alley.
(2) Full Cut-Off means a shielded light fixture that emits no light above a horizontal plane touching
the lowest part of the fixture.
(3) Glare means visual discomfort or impairment caused by a bright source of light in a direction
near one's line of sight.
(4) Lumen means the unit of luminous flux,the total amount of light falling uniformly on or passing
through an area of one square foot, each point of which is one foot from a one-candela source.
Outdoor Lighting - Proposal Before ZPC March 14, 2019
From: Steve Brown, 3305 Rice Blvd
General
West U is a densely populated residential community in which our wellbeing, safety and comfort
depend at least as much on how we treat each other as on the efforts of our excellent City staff.
Effectively, we live in a big condominium.
Outdoor lighting is necessary for our way of life. The purpose of any regulation is to encourage
us to use this essential tool in a neighborly way.
Either the existing regulations or the proposed replacement will get the job done. But proper
enforcement of either one requires active participation by the residents of West U. We each
need the willingness, the courage, to approach our offending neighbor and try to work out the
problem in a friendly manner. We also need to be aware of when we may be the offender and
be responsive to requests for correction. The code enforcement officer and the police can act in
response to specific resident complaints. But West U is not staffed to enforce this and many
other parts of its code without heavy resident participation. Simply passing a revised ordinance
will not be enough.
Specific Comments
1. The existing ordinance is concise and easy to understand. Its key provision (Section 8-107
(b)) is that the bulb of any lighting device installed outdoors must not be visible from within a
door or window of an occupied building on a neighboring residential site. This prohibition
applies regardless of where, how high, at what angle or how bright the offending fixture is.
There are exceptions only for seven specific situations. We should be careful to keep this
strong rule in any ordinance update.
2. The proposed ordinance, despite its length, includes a number of useful specifics (height,
placement, fixture type and cut-off requirements) that may make enforcement easier,
especially on new construction.
3. Looking to the future, I suggest that the reference to specific energy-efficient bulbs in
paragraph (e) (4) (iii) of the proposed ordinance be replaced by a minimum standard of
lighting efficacy stated in lumens per watt. CF bulbs are already obsolete.
Conclusion
The most effective way forward with outdoor lighting rules may be to combine the best parts of
the existing and proposed ordinances. Assuming City Council passes revised rules, we will
need a continuing effort to educate residents (perhaps something like that for recycling) if we
expect real improvement in our lighting environment.
From:
To: Debbie Scarcella
Subject: Comments on outdoor lighting
Date: Thursday,January 10,2019 8:03:04 PM
I live in a one story house. My next door neighbor's second story driveway light shines directly into my
bedroom window.There are tenants there now, and I did ask them long ago to turn it off and they usually
- do, but not always.
Also, a new two story house was built catty-corner behind me. No one is living there now, but the builder
has started turning on the back porch lights and they shine into my bedroom window also because they
are higher than my eight foot fence. So do the lights in the upstairs rooms on the back of the house,
especially the large window that looks down into my backyard. Not happy about the house at all, but
nothing I can do about it.
It would be nice not have have these things happen, but I don't know how you can control what people
are doing at the back of their houses
Lori Hill
3933 Milton
Existing Regulations
Section 8-107.-Outdoor lighting.
(a) Intent . The intent of this section is to require outdoor lighting to use "full cut-off'fixtures, low-output
bulbs, shields or other methods to reduce light trespass, glare and light pollution and to encourage
energy conservation.
(b) In general . Any lighting device installed outdoors (or on the exterior of a structure) must be
designed, constructed and operated so that the bulb or light source (diffused or not) is not visible
from within a door or window of an occupied building on another building site used for residential
purposes.
(c) Certain defenses . It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the device in
question is:
(1) a streetlight approved by the City;
(2) an official traffic light or signal;
(3) an emergency light used temporarily(not longer than the emergency conditions involved);
(4) a decorative holiday light used temporarily(not more than 45 days out of any 365-day period);
(5) a security light requested or consented to by the current owner of(or person in control of) the
building (on another building site)that is illuminated;
(6) a light located in a front yard or street side yard (or on a building facing such a yard), if: (i) all
the lights in—or facing—that yard emit, in the aggregate, no more than 4,000 lumens, and (ii)no
individual bulb in—or facing—that yard emits more than 1,000 lumens; or
(7) a device illuminating a sports field.
From: )udv Bolling
To: Debbie Scarcella
Subject: Exterior Lighting comments for ZPC
Date: Tuesday,January 22,2019 2:33:36 PM
I saw the solicitation for comments on exterior lighting in the City Currents and am providing some thoughts for
consideration. This issue came to my attention because a new home has been built next to my two story home,and
only as they are nearing the end of construction are exterior lights going up and on.
1. Plan approvals for new building or renovations(not just lighting)should take into consideration possible
impacts on adjacent properties including notifying the adjacent property owners of the plans and allowing them to
review plans and provide comments prior to plan approval or construction. Yes,I know that will delay builders
(many of whom I think are not residents and have little regard for the impact of their building on the neighborhood
or neighbors)but it also allows for some potential issues to be identified and addressed early in the process where it
may be possible to make relatively simple adjustments that would satisfy everyone. (Perhaps this is what the zoning
standard are intended to do but it seems that many residents think that building has gotten a bit out of control and
their interests are not being protected sufficiently.)
2. With regard to lighting,consider setting different restrictions depending on lot size and building proximity.
Where homes are only 10- 12 feet apart,exterior side lighting may have different consequences for neighbors than
if they are 30 feet apart.
3. Limit the light output(is that still wattage?)that can be used on front,side,and rear lighting(by which I mean
both total output in each direction and per fixture-see 6 below). There are instances where the lights on the front of
home or garages are so bright that they intrude into homes across the street. Lighting for safety or security on your
own property is understandable,but it need not extend beyond your yard.
4. Consider requiring that side lighting on homes or back yard lighting be on timers with required nightly cutoffs
("dark hours"perhaps seasonally adjusted)and motion detectors in use after the nightly cutoff if deemed necessary
by the homeowner.
5. Limit the height at which side or corner lighting can be installed,perhaps to the height of adjacent fencing to
allow the fencing to help contain light spillage. (I would suggest that if there is no fencing between homes,there
can be no side lighting without permission of all parties.)
6. Limit the number of lights that can be installed on the side of homes,based perhaps not on the size of the home
but the impact on the neighbors.
7. Limit the direction in which light can be generated(down only perhaps or within a set number of degrees of
down,say 10- 15,to limit encroachment on neighbors.
8. Set up a process,similar to the noise ordinance for AC units,where someone from the city can measure light
encroachment in contentious situations(and not only from a property line necessarily,but from,say,an upstairs
bedroom window).
9. Consider not allowing any side lighting on homes,but rather encouraging use of ground level lighting in side
yards instead,and then only capped lighting(no up lighting).
10. If side lighting is allowed,require the same sort of permission from all abutting neighbors that is required for
fencing.
And,on a few other topics,
11. Consider scaling back on the percentage of the lot that can be covered by a structure and concrete.
12. Consider requiring water permeable driveways and sidewalks.
13. Consider allowing easements between streets and sidewalks to be used for parking(cut ins)to help alleviate
the parking issues on our streets.
14. Change quiet hours to 8 am to 6 pm weekdays.
Thanks for considering!
Judy Bolling
3911 Browning
Sent from my iPad
From: Pick
To: Debbie Scarceii�
Subject: Exterior Lighting
Date: Monday,January 14,2019 12:30:44 PM
Ms. Scarcella/ZPC,
In response to the overture in City Currents about exterior lighting, I offer the following
comments:
I recognize that management of exterior residential lighting is a challenge where one size does
not fit all. That may in part be because West U's current lighting ordinance is largely not
understood and is mostly ignored by the public
Exterior lighting is utilized for a combination reasons, principally security, access and
aesthetics. Although there are some exceptions, in West U exterior lighting it is generally
tastefully executed. However, lighting on one property almost always affects the neighboring
property either by virtue of spillover lighting or by presenting a visible lighted image rather
than simple darkness. For example the some of the lighting on houses surrounding my home
produces enough light that I can walk around inside my house at night without turning on
lights. Admittedly I have several uncovered windows and there is not enough light to read,
but it is anything but dark inside or outside of my house.
My view of exterior lighting is that it should primarily be available (and not necessarily always
on) to help people enter and exit a house and it should be turned off at bedtime, to save
electricity if for no other reason. (Motion detectors can be used to provide security lighting.)
Any lights left on when people are not actively coming or going should be of low wattage
(lumens). I find that in a dark area 25 watts or 375 lumens produces a surprisingly generous
amount of light, not enough for reading or working but plenty for a person to navigate or be
seen.
To arrive at a concept for allowable exterior lighting security, utility and aesthetics issues
should be addressed. Fixtures delivering the desired outcome should then be defined,
especially in terms of their impact on or visibility from neighboring properties. Spillover
lighting is a major factor but so is simply being able to see exposed bulbs or brightly lighted
buildings. The impact of the trend to blanket houses with light, as shown in the picture in City
Currents, should be considered as one example of a lighting challenge. Finally, in addition to
determining the maximum light from any fixture or group of fixtures, all aspects of lighting
applications should be addressed including downlighting from trees and poles, uplighting of
bushes and houses, and porch/entry lights. It is wishful thinking, but perhaps more could be
done in terms of not only requiring the installation of "full cutoff" fixtures but requiring them
to be off when people are not actively coming or going from a property. With the City
Currents example in mind, perhaps changes short of the "dark skies" concepts could be
developed, applied and enforced.
From: Liz Wilder
To: Debbie Scarcella
Subject: exterior lighting ordinance
Date: Tuesday,January 15,2019 3:05:29 PM
Hello,
Thank you for requesting feedback on outdoor lighting in the recent"City Currents".
I do believe back yard lighting has become much brighter over the 20 years we have been homeowners.Although I
have not complained to the neighbors,I now need blackout curtains in my bedroom to block the strings of"party
lights"hung next door.This is not a huge decorating deal for me in that particular room,and I live on a corner so
light intrudes only from one side.
However,I have other WU friends who have serious problems with their neighbors' lit sports courts or other such
installations in back that make it difficult to enjoy being in their own family or living rooms.There is a lot of
unpleasant glare.I suggest that some kind of landscape screening fabric or other"giant lamp shade"be required for
unusual lighting installations to protect the neighbors.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth Wilder
6645 Westchester
II
From: VIRGINIA WILSON
To: Debbie Scarcella
Subject: Exterior Lighting
Date: Saturday,January 12,2019 9:54:55 AM
I do not see a problem with any exterior lighting on homes or in back yards. My neighbor has
flood lights(motion censored) and I do, as well, on the side of our houses. I keep my
swimming pool light on at night, as my back yard lights aren't very strong. The reason I
believe in keeping our properties well lit, is because when there was a murder in West U(can't
remember the street name but it was in the chimney)many years ago, the police came to talk
to all the neighbors and told us a well lit house is a distraction to criminals. Therefore, I
believe in a well lit exterior just to deter any predators.
I believe there are ways that people can reduce the amount of light that comes into their rooms
with black out drapes or other types of window coverings. I think the safety of our homes
greatly out weighs not having our houses lit up well, as I believe a dark house at night might
attract those who want to do harm.
Thank you,
Virginia Wilson
4212 Judson Avenue
713-299-1843
From: Blaine Davis
To: Debbie Scarcella
Subject: Exterior Lighting
Date: Saturday,January 12,2019 1:58:20 PM
I live in the townhouses on Bissonnet across from the Belmont apartments. A new home was
constructed behind us on Wroxton and they have a side light that is extremely bright and
shines in my bedroom window. I have indoor shutters, so sleeping is not a problem,but if I
walk into the room at night I'm hit in the face by a very strong light.
It doesn't help that I was initially aggravated by the fact that all I see of the house are blank
walls on both the side with the light and the back. It's not very attractive, and now it's lit at
night with an annoying light.
I think that this is a problem, and I don't know the people who moved into this house well
enough to go and ask them to tilt the light down more so I'd much prefer there was some type
of ordinance in place that would have prevented me from being spotlit in my own house in the
first place.
Blaine Davis
2921 Bissonnet
From: Delvce McKeehan
To: Debbie Scarcella
Subject: FW:Online Form Submittal:Community Feedback Form-OUTDOOR LIGHTING FEEDBACK
Date: Thursday,February 14,2019 9:14:23 AM
Morning—I believe this would go to you.
Delyce McKeehan
Senior Accounting and Customer Service Rep
City of West University Place
3800 University Boulevard,West University Place,TX 77005
Tel 713.662.5828
Fax 713.662.5804
Mir a f
ATTENTION PUBLIC OFFICIALS:
This email,plus any attachments,may constitute a public record of the City of West University Place and may be subject to public disclosure
under the Texas Public Information Act.
A"reply to all"of this e-mail could lead to violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act.Please reply only to the sender.
From: noreply @civicplus.com [mailto:noreply @civicplus.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2019 9:36 PM
To: info; Delyce McKeehan
Subject: Online Form Submittal: Community Feedback Form -OUTDOOR LIGHTING FEEDBACK
Community Feedback Form
Do you have a story you'd like to share about a park or program or a suggestion
for improving our services? We'd love to get your feedback!Please fill out the
form below, and we will be in touch soon.
First Name jennifer
Last Name Sickman
Street Address 4152 OBERLIN ST
City HOUSTON
State Tx
Zip 77005
Email Address jennifer.sickman @gmail.com
Phone Number(if you 7136600478
prefer a call back)
I am interested in: Expressing a concern
Comments hello, I saw some kind of notice requesting resident
comment/feedback regarding outdoor lighting. I do think it has
become an issue. I don't mind the street level lighting, but flood
lights at roof level bleed into all my bedrooms at night and it is
very unpleasant.the problem seems to have magnified recently.
are we considering an ordinance, or at least an educational
effort, perhaps partnering with local hardware businesses to
require/encourage/incentivize using motion triggered lighting; app
controlled, or at least automated turn off at midnight....?Thank
you.
Have you previously No, I have not.
spoken to a city
department or city
personnel regarding this
issue?
Email not displaying correctly?View it in your browser.
From: Annie n Bob
To: Debbie Scarcella
Cc: Susan Sample;Dave Beach
Subject: Light pollution-topic at your upcoming meeting(s)
Date: Saturday,January 12,2019 9:30:18 AM
Debbie,
There is a publication called "City Currents" that states you are "asking for your input.
Are lights from your neighboring yards an intrusion on your property?" and "While
most outdoor lighting issues can be resolved between neighbors".
My input is that the existing code 8-107 is sufficient, but Dave Beach and the folks
who work for him do not enforce them. Dave also said that any changes you make
will not be retroactively enforced.
In particular, our home at 4135 Coleridge Street shares a back fence with 4136
Tennyson. This neighbor has several high wattage floodlights at about 13 foot
elevation bouncing off their back house wall, over their 9 foot (not 8)foot fence
lighting up our entire backyard and shining through our master bedroom window. It is
as if we live next door to a gas station or Walmart. They leave these lights on all night
long.
II
I discussed this with the neighbor and they said our home is kept too dark, so the
issue remains unresolved. Please issue proper direction to Dave and his folks to
address the issue.
I am currently away, but my wife Angie can be reached at 281 222-0307. My next
door neighbor, who has issues with barking dogs and a gong from the same
Tennyson property sent me a copy of the article requesting input. The neighbor
across the street has children who go to school with their children, and they were not
surprised to hear our concerns.
Thanks again for all you do for us. We spent a lot of money on our dream home and
are very disappointed with the un-neighborly behavior by this one neighbor and the
way Dave Beach is interpreting the existing lighting code.
Bob Seeley
281 486-4927
Original Message
From: Susan Sample<ssample @westutx.gov>
To: Angie n Bob <angie.n.bob @comcast.net>
Date: May 2, 2018 at 10:38 AM
Subject: RE: Light pollution
Bob,
I understand that City Staff(Chief Building Official and Code Enforcement/Animal
Control Officer) met with you to investigate/discuss the light issue and while you don't
agree with our Code you understood that the installed lights did not violate our current
code.The lights were viewed during a day and nighttime visit to ensure they were
compliant with the Code and unless something has changed from the last time staff
conducted a day and nighttime visit,then I am not sure what there would be to revisit.
As you reference from the Code (8-107 Outdoor Lighting)—the intent is to reduce light
trespass where the light is physically directing light onto a neighbor's property.The
fixtures installed are full cutoff and the light source is not visible from with the
neighbor's door or window. It's not about it being too bad for you, but it's about what
can be enforced by the City staff.
As mentioned in previous emails,the issue of exterior lighting is being brought up by
staff to the Zoning and Planning Commission for their consideration and to discuss any
revisions to the existing Code. I understand this is not the answer you would have like
to received, but we can only enforce the Code as it is.
Sincerely,
Susan
Susan Sample
Mayor
City of West University Place
3800 University Boulevard, West University Place, TX 77005 ATTENTION PUBLIC OFFICIALS:
This email,plus any attachments,may constitute a public record of the City of West University Place and may be subject to public
disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act.
A"reply to all"of this e-mail could lead to violations of the Texas Ooen Meetings Act.Please reply only to the sender.
From: Angie n Bob [angie.n.bob @comcast.net]
Sent: Monday,April 30, 2018 9:37 PM
To: Susan Sample
Subject: Re: Light pollution
Susan,
Please revisit this one last time regarding the property at 4136 Tennyson.
As the attached picture shows, there is absolutely no effort "to use low-
output bulbs, shields or other methods to reduce light trespass, glare and
light pollution" as required in 8-107(a) below. The interpretation by the
West U staff is that since "the bulb or light source...is not visible" as
specified in 8-107(b), then that is just too bad for me.
There is no reason why a homeowner with 3 very large dogs needs that
much security lighting. Maybe a good lawyer or judge might draw a
different conclusion regarding the applicability and enforceability of 8-
107(a). I have no problem taking West U to court to get it addressed, but I
would hope that a better solution is available.
I had to drag a 4'x4' sheet of 3/4" plywood on top of my Pergola to make a
temporary stepladder platform to use to hang the curtain off my soffit
boards. Climbing out there to hang the curtain was not fun. My grandfather
died falling off a roof before OSHA rules and training were established for
working from heights. My wife says the curtain looks like something that
belongs in a trailer park, not West U.
Bob Seeley
Section 8-107. - Outdoor lighting.
(a)
Intent . The intent of this section is to require outdoor lighting to use "full cut-off'
fixtures, low-output bulbs, shields or other methods to reduce light trespass, glare
and light pollution and to encourage energy conservation.
(b)
In general . Any lighting device installed outdoors(or on the exterior of a
structure)must be designed, constructed and operated so that the bulb or light
source (diffused or not) is not visible from within a door or window of an
occupied building on another building site used for residential purposes.
On April 30, 2018 at 3:06 PM Angie n Bob
<angie.n.bob @comcast.net>wrote:
The weather sure has been nice lately. Sleeping with windows
open was great.
Had to climb out on my pergola with a stepladder to hang the
attached curtain off the back of the house to be able to open
the windows in our master bedroom. The neighbor behind us
has a 2 year old house with eight 200 watt floodlights hanging
about 15 feet from our back fence. The bulbs are legal, per
West U specs, because they are recessed in light cans. The
homeowner leaves them on all night long blasting through our
closed plantation shutters. If we put a curtain on the inside we
would get no air flow. Since specs cannot be changed
retroactively, our design to have a master bedroom with 3 large
windows overlooking our backyard did not work out as
planned.
This same neighbor(4136 Tennyson) is retired and sits on his
side porch much of the day letting his ceiling fan blow his
tobacco smoke in everyone else's backyards. (It is reminds you
of flying into Detroit (menthol city) back when folks were
allowed to smoke on airplanes/in airports.) His wife used to
stand in the backyard banging an oriental gong a couple dozen
times throughout the day until our neighbor next door went
down and filed a complaint. I complained about his 3 barking
labradoodles a couple times on Click West U, but the response
on Click West U is always to call the police.
Bob Seeley
4135 Coleridge Street
281 486-4927
From: Larry Kelly
To: Debbie Scarcella
Subject: lighting
Date: Thursday,January 10,2019 8:26:47 PM
I would like to see ordinance restricting lighting in back yards, also. Thanks,
Larry Kelly
3319 Georgetown
From: Lynn Smith
To: Debbie Scarcella
Subject: the lighting police
Date: Thursday,February 14,2019 1:59:17 PM
Hello D Scarcella,
O saw a small article asking for thoughts on outdoor lighting
problems in West U and my reply has been rumbling around in my
brain for all this time. My husband and I once owned a home at
Pirates Beach. We were 3 houses from the Gulf. Our subdivision
had strict rules & regs about outdoor lighting because of the sea
turtles. Besides the sea turtles, I always loved that I could go out
on my deck on a clear night and see the stars. If my neighbors left
their lights on I was the one who walked the dog that way and
flipped the OFF switch.
Here in West U most of the homes are overlit. I have two dogs, one
very young and one old so I walk them separately twice a day
every day. I walk all over my area and see that most home use
bulbs that are over bright, some houses have sconces that are on
24/7, a lot of homes still have old fashioned ground lights that
shine up into the sky. I don't think there is anything you can do to
solve the problem. Let's face it, you can't even get people to
separate their recyclables properly. How many will give a damn
about their outside lighting? I don't think very many. I think you
are beating a dead horse on this one. Time to move on to a more
pressing issue.
Sincerely,
Lynn Smith
2701 Amherst
77005