Keep Sedona Beautiful

Archive for the ‘Sedona SR89A Lighting Issue’ Category

It was an evening that left some of us stunned, some speechless, and all of us sincerely concerned. On Wednesday, October 28th the Sedona City Council, and the attending public, heard ADOT’s presentation for the 68 lighting alternatives for West 89A.  Nineteen citizens spoke to the alternatives, asking ADOT to please consider no lights as an alternative.  John Harper, Project Manager for the Continuous Roadway Lighting Project, stated that he was there to only talk about the various lighting alternatives. No lights was an alternative he would not recognize or address.

Shaeri Richards, a Sedona resident, asked Mr. Harper directly if no lights was an option. Here is her question and the answer she got:  http://www.keepsedonabeautiful.org/Shaeri.swf

Following Ms. Richards’ questions, Sedona City Councilman Cliff Hamilton commented on the inflexibility and other concerns her had. Here’s what he said: http://www.keepsedonabeautiful.org/CliffH.swf

On Wednesday November 5 from 4 pm to 7 pm, at the Sedona Public Library, ADOT will have an Open House for the public to view and ask questions about the 89A Lighting alternatives being offered. Again, ADOT is saying that the “no lights alternative” will not be discussed.

We think the best alternative — what the majority of people want — should be discussed. Plan to show up and voice your opinion and concern to ADOT and the world that Sedona citizens demand a voice in this issue!

There will be a public demonstration to protest ADOT’s planned continuous roadway lighting from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Sedona Public Library.  It is important for people show up en masse to send a message to ADOT and the world:  Sedona doesn’t want or need continuos roadway lighting on SR 89a in West Sedona.  Our city skyline, our local economy and starry night skies will be forever changed if this plan moves forward.

Be seen and be heard this Thursday, Nov. 5th,  from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Sedona Public Library on White Bear Road just off Dry Creek Road in West Sedona.

Now, more than ever, we need your support, encouragement and work in “Preserving the Wonder!”

ADOT Presents 89A Roadway Lighting Options
Wed., October 28th from 5:30 to 9:30 PM in Sedona City Council Chambers

Here’s What You Need To Know
by Robert Carabell, KSB Vice-President

Photo by Bob Coates

ADOT will present to Council a list of 68 Roadway Lighting Design Alternatives for West 89A with a power point presentation by John Harper of ADOT and discussion between ADOT and the Council.

The meeting will then be opened up for public comment. No final decision is expected at this meeting, however, it will be important to hear the discussion between ADOT and Council in order to better understand the eventual decision, and for making relevant comments when the meeting is opened for public feedback.

Following that meeting, ADOT will conduct a public Open House, similar to a charette, at the Sedona Public Library on November 5 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Based on the feedback received from the Oct. 28th and Nov. 5th meetings, ADOT and City Staff will then narrow down the list of 68 alternatives to a smaller. optimum list. Then, perhaps in Jan. 2010, ADOT will present more detail on this smaller list for Council’s review and possible approval. Some of these alternatives include over 100 lights!

The ADOT alternatives being presented are all complex, all virtually incomprehensible to a layman, and all include continuous roadway lighting in one form or another; the option of “no lighting” or last year’s Safety Panel recommendation is not an alternative being considered. ADOT has also made it very clear that any alternative other than the original proposal (ie. 76 high pressure sodium Cobra head lights, standard ADOT issue) will cost the City the difference and some of the alternatives are very expensive. To view these ADOT alternatives, go to City Council’s section on the www.SedonaAz.gov website and look for the meeting date October 28 and click on meeting materials/packet details. You may find some of the information confusing, but it can be simplified with this one question:

Why is ADOT not presenting the best overall alternative: the Feb. 2008 recommendation from the “89A Pedestrian Safety Advisory Panel” consisting of Sedona citizens, ADOT representatives, and International Dark Sky Association? This recommendation was as follows:

• NO continuous roadway lighting on West 89A, and
• Signalize the Andante intersection, the location where three fatal accidents occurred over a 5-year period.

The benefits of this recommendation are many:A signalized intersection at Andante will contribute to safety both at night and day (over 90% of ALL accidents occur in the daytime),

• A signalized intersection at Andante will cost FAR less than the other alternatives,
• Little to no light pollution; learn more about the importance of reducing “light pollution” at www.darksky.org,
• No light trespass into nearby neighborhoods that overlook 89A and
• No degradation of our famous and gorgeous starry night skies.

ADOT is proposing to put a signalized intersection at Andante, but what will 76 or more lights do for safety when it’s needed most? Most of the pedestrian (and motorist) accidents have occurred during the busy daylight hours on West 89A. The solution to protecting pedestrians and motorists is not more lights but sensible and creative roadway precautions that monitor and slow traffic down.

98% of KSB Members rejected Continuous Roadway Lighting on West 89A in a recent survey; click here to read the respondents’ comments that provide insightful information on this issue. In addition, you may find reading the KSB Board’s recent resolution, “Continuous Roadway Lighting for West State Route 89A,” to be helpful as well KSB’s “dark skies” web page.

We urge you to attend the Council Meeting on Oct. 28th. Express your opinion; do not be afraid to stand up and be vocal. Be informed, be involved; it is the only way to make a difference and “keep Sedona beautiful.”

Keep Sedona Beautiful’s Blog welcomes our first guest columnist!

Sept. 10th, 2009

IF YOU HAVE A LEMON…
by Barbara Breitbart, PhD

Psychological research has shown that hardiness is a major factor which contributes to the resiliency for not only surviving, but also thriving under conflict and adverse conditions. Psychological hardiness is a trait that allows individuals to accept the challenges and changes in life with good humour and resilience. It enhances performance, leadership, conduct, stamina, mood and both physical and mental health. Hardiness helps people turn negative situations into opportunities or to state it another way, it helps people turn the proverbial ‘lemon’ into lemonade.

When I first arrived in Sedona from New York City about 20 years ago, one of the first things I became acutely aware of was the clarity of the night sky. What a fabulous sight, to be able to see the galaxies and experience the wonder which a dark starry sky can invoke. Like many of you, I am concerned about the Impact that the continuous highway lighting of 89A will have on our fair city. My concern is not only about esthetics, but also about energy consumption and reducing the negative impact on our environment.

If, in spite of all our heartfelt and impassioned efforts to prevent continuous lighting if it turns out that West Sedona’s proposed lighting becomes a fait accompli, then why not focus our attention on utilizing a sustainable form of lighting, one that has green features, with reduced energy consumption, a reduced carbon footprint and reduced light pollution?

Read the rest of this entry »

Photo by Bob Coates

Sedona is known for majestic red rock beauty, though when the sun goes down, another natural marvel takes center stage: Sedona’s starry nights. But our brilliant celestial display could be in danger of fading, as it has in many growing cities and towns throughout the world.

The good news is that a few simple measures can help preserve Sedona’s starry skies.  Keep Sedona Beautiful, the  Sedona Main Street Program, and the City of Sedona offer this information:

Why is is harder to see the Milky Way these days?

• Whatever we call it — light trespass, urban glow, or light pollution — the problem is artificial brightening of the night sky above cities and towns. Brighter skies make stars and celestial bodies, like the Milky Way, appear faded, less distinct or not visible at all.

What Causes light pollution?

• Inefficient lighting — either unnecessarily bright, or directed or reflected upward — sends light into the sky instead of down where we need it.

What’s wrong with too much light?

Too much light or misdirected light …

• Wastes energy dollars
• Wastes resources (like coal or oil) used to produce energy
• Increases pollution associated with resource consumption
• Creates glare, making it difficult for drivers and others to see at night
• Causes light trespass, from neighboring properties to yours
• Makes for clutter and confusion, an unattractive and distracting nighttime
• environment in our cities and towns

Who is affected by light pollution?

• Amateur stargazers, astronomers, drivers, pilots, conservationists, taxpayers, neighbors … nearly everyone including animals is affected by light pollution.

What can I do about it?

• Shield the lights you use at night, directing their glow down to illuminate doorways, paths, etc. Be sure you are not losing light to the sky or spilling light onto neighboring yards.
• Take advantage of dimmer switches, time controls, or motion sensors to use light more effectively, when and where you need it.
• Consider switching to low-pressure sodium lights. LPS lights are not only preferred by astronomers, they are also energy efficient.
• If you are bother by glare or trespass from your neighbors’ lights, talk to them about it, or give them a copy of this brochure.
• Contact businesses that cause glow or distracting glare. Encourage them to use light more efficiently and to turn off unnecessary signage after midnight.
• Participate in public meeting involving local and regional outdoor lighting guidelines.
• Join Keep Sedona Beautiful or other organizations that promote dark skies.

The stars have been our guiding lights through centuries of human development — to preserve this delightful and dazzling display for future generations is just one more way to Keep Sedona Beautiful.

Bob Carabell, KSB Executive VP

In the June 2009 issue of the Villager Newspaper, an article by Keep Sedona Beautiful Executive Vice-President Bob Carabell documents and exposes this “myth” as well as details on what homeowners can do to better protect themselves and their property from theft and crime.

Read the entire “Does More Lighting = More Safety?” article.