— from Eleanor Hoague and Marc Cohen —
Although planning for the Prune Alley improvement project has already moved into its final stages, one important aspect of it has not, in our opinion, received adequate attention: lighting. And this is not just our opinion, as has been made clear by the groundswell of opposition that has appeared in Orcas Issues and at the EPRC Zoom meeting of June 25.
No compelling case has been made for the addition of seventeen light posts, each 16 feet high, along the four-block stretch of Prune Alley. And there would have to be a compelling reason for us to take a step that would so drastically change the character of our little village of Eastsound. Does anyone really want Eastsound to become a smaller version of Coupeville or Leavenworth?
Supporters of the street lighting cite safety (and, to a lesser extent, security) as the reason we need to do this. Claims have been made about how dangerous the traffic is on Prune Alley, how unsafe the crossings are for pedestrians, and how many accidents have occurred there. But these claims have been advanced without even anecdotal evidence.
The facts simply do not bear them out.
According to Sheriff’s Office records, there have been five vehicular incidents in the last 12 years, and 21 in the last 30 years, on Prune Alley, all of them minor incidents. In only one of these was visibility cited as a contributing factor. Every one of these 26 cases involved vehicles only (many of them parked vehicles). Not a single one involved a pedestrian.
Of course pedestrian safety is important, and we are not suggesting that we should wait for there to be a pedestrian injury before taking steps to improve it. By all means, include well-marked pedestrian cross-walks, perhaps with lit pavers, to assist pedestrians crossing Prune Alley at night, and to help make them visible to drivers. But those ugly, urban, light towers? Please, no.
Please join us in urging the EPRC to recommend against placing these eye-sores on Prune Alley. And let us hope that the County Council takes note of the public’s opposition to them.
Amen.
The 16 foot pole lights are out of character for Eastsound. As a participant in subarea planning for Eastsound my recollection was for any lighting to be dark sky compliant and consist of low bollard down lights. People live here for its rural character and we don’t need to
make Eastsound “tourist compliant”.
The clear recommendation to the County by EPRC during its Comprehensive Plan update was for low level dark sky compliant lighting.
One of the literally wonderful things about living on Orcas Island is seeing the night sky. Why should the rest of us continue to enjoy the night sky while the residents of Eastsound are deprived of it?
This discussion seems to parallel the Deer Harbor Bridge project where there were numerous public discussions with clear opinions and the County in the end did what they wanted to do rather than what was voted and agreed upon by citizens and the Deer Harbor Hamlet Planning Committee. With two Council positions open this year it is time to vote for more responsive leadership.
We currently enjoy a walkable, intimate, “working” village of local merchants and services. Why exchange our authentic rural character for the trappings of malls and tourist outlets? Let the stars be bright… by using low level dark sky compliant lighting.
No way please!
Please NO to light idea!
As noted in the above
Sheriff’s Records regarding ZERO reported pedestrian/vehicle accidents in the past thirty years, we neither want nor need street lighting on Prune Alley. County Council do no harm or inflict unwanted expense on the community. No street lights.
As someone who walks to town frequently at dusk in summer, as well as at night in the winter, I believe there’s sufficient light in town, especially if low-level dark-sky compliant lighting is added to Prune Alley. The idea that Prune Alley is unsafe for pedestrians doesn’t square with my experience.
Yes, please no ‘Wal Mart’ parking lot lighting for Eastsound streets. If anyone needs that level of lighting in their life, best to abandon Orcas Island and move to the city.