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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPackets - Council Packets (1611)Stine, Michelle From: Randall, Diana Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 8:23 AM To: Stine, Michelle; Standish, Michael Subject: FW: Dark skies Good morning, Please see below for constituent comments. Sincerely, Diana Randall Executive assistant Town Manager, Mayor and Council From: Teri Colmar Sent: Monday, May 17, 20218:07 PM To: Town Council <council@orovalleyaz.gov> Subject: Dark skies Dear Mayor and Council, I applaud Mr. Melcher for taking the initiative to include a budget line item to address the "Dark Sky" ordinances. While some council members may not think this is an important item to include in the budget, many residents in Oro Valley do. Perhaps those questioning the budget item might not understand that codes may need to be altered as we build out Oro Valley and as technology changes. I don't believe there was any indication from Mr. Melcher that we need to change anything now -- rather he counseled being proactive for the future. Nor do I think he was implying that we should abandon what currently exists and increase light pollution. It would be very easy to fall behind as technology quickly changes. Look how fast "squiggly" light bulbs became obsolete. As Oro Valley still has at least 15% or so to build out according to the town Master Plan, I think we can expect that our sky will lose some of the natural darkness that once was coveted and protected by wise leaders. If we brighten our sky, will we need to revisit LED specifications? Will we have the most efficient and best quality lights in the parks as we add more lighting as illustrated in the new Parks Master Plan? (The view from my home at night is actually ruined by park lights at Riverfront, the Aquatic Center and Naranja Park). There are other ramifications of light pollution besides night sky viewing. Poorly planned lighting also affects wildlife and ecosystems. The beauty of nature brought many of us here ... we would like to see it remain. It would be very prudent to investigate and study how we can keep our night sky as close to natural as possible. To this end, I strongly urge the council to keep the budget item. This link includes valuable information regarding the subject of dark sky. httos://www.darksky.orci Yours truly, Teresa Espino Co/mar