— from Colin Maycock for Eastsound Planning Review Committee —
The Lighting subcommittee and the Design standards subcommittee of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC), have published drafts of their studies. The subcommittees would appreciate feedback and comments on the draft documents.
The draft EPRC guide to Eastsound Village Character is AVAILABLE HERE.
The draft Eastsound lighting guide is AVAILABLE HERE.
It is very helpful if comment authors identify the page number and section of the document they are commenting on.
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
What about this draft ensures compliance?
I see nothing addressing spotlights or motion-detector lights (Funhouse, the corner of what used to be Teezers, to name two – both blinding-bright spotlights, and the Funhouse’s shines across the street to the trail, blinding pedestrians and bicyclists alike.) Why continue to allow these? The ambient light from them pollutes far more than “just” their parcel. There are blinding lights all over Eastsound that obliterate the night sky and make me feel like a potential rape or mugging victim, since I am blinded and can’t see anything beyond the beams, but any would-be attacker can see me.
I don’t think “voluntary compliance” is the answer. Why not make it MANDATORY to change to lower lumens lighting and all lighting source must be covered – many in the DRAFT are not. Why not seek out grant programs that will help people pay for the transition if they can’t afford it? Give a time limit and then collect fines for anyone who hasn’t transitioned (income for the county) Orange, white, and blue light LED or hallogen lights should be banned outright.
Many other towns with far greater populations have achieved this – it’s not out of reach.
I support the use of Dark Sky standards to control light pollution
and over lighting which impacts visual character. The bollard fixtures I like are Ashbury, Gino, Pavilion; the overhead fixtures I like are Ligman, Chamber, Urban, and Alcott.
In the village plan I question the statement about a future desalination plant. If water resources have reached their limit do we really want to exceed that limit?
In the transportation section I support the possible future east-west
access road that is shown which would allow removal of Crescent Beach road and restoration of the watershed.