Thanks so much, David. I'm glad someone was able to
make it, and hopefully at least one person
representing the amateur astro community will be able
to make it each time. Oddly, I will be a planning
staffer at my own Planning Commission's meetings on
June 5, so I am unfortunately going to be a no-show
that day; but June 20 is in the cards.
> Substantially, little would change. There are areas
of exception, primarily the Core Downtown Area, high
foot traffic night areas (such as bar/bistro
districts), and other nighttime businesses (notably
car dealerships and material handling yards, both of
which have substantive arguments for being able to
accurately render color at night).<
This is all reasonable. It might be worthwhile to
point out that soft, even lighting in pedestrian
districts allows the best normal-contrast visual
environment and acuity, and enhances safety. This, as
opposed to the garish brilliance of many commercial
lighting fixtures.
> The only real changes that are of interest are (a)
these revisions would clarify guidelines for those
usages and exceptions (there aren't many) and (b)
would require cutoff fixtures for any substantive
lights
(not currently the case) and provisions to turn most
-- if not all -- the lights off at or after 10pm, or
whenever business is closed...<
This is wonderful. The extinguishment of a light
after it is necessary is by far the best step that can
be taken. Do any of the new guidelines recommend the
use of motion sensors, I wonder?
> Such business interests as were represented seemed
to find this acceptable (or even interesting), and
most present seemed to think the revisions would lead
to a lighting situation that is pretty much the same
as now during early evening hours, but perhaps
substantially darker after 10pm ... and even darker as
the night progresses.<
This is also encouraging, although in areas where this
type of ordinance is new, businesses and citizens
aren't always so reasonable. I guess it is the nature
of people to be skeptical of new ideas, though, even
if they are inherently logical.
> In particular Lick and IDA are to be commended for
the efforts they are putting forth to work with the
community government and business interests to make
darker skies work for everyone.<
Huzzah!
=====
Best regards,
Bruce Jensen, associate of:
The Astronomy Connection http://observers.org/
The International Dark-Sky Association http://www.darksky.org/~ida/
American Coaster Enthusiasts http://www.aceonline.org/
"All God's critters got a place in the choir"
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