SEQUIM — Before considering more expensive measures to combat glare and light trespass, city officials will see if fitting hoods over existing streetlights will be enough to direct light only where it’s needed while maintaining safe levels of illumination.
The consensus emerged out of Wednesday’s Sequim City Council meeting, a session that included a thorough and occasionally emotional discussion of how artificial lights that accompany development can affect residents.
The issue was before the council because Pat Clark and other Silberhorn Road-area residents are concerned that streetlights being installed as part of construction in their neighborhood will shine into homes, create glare that interferes with driving and dim cherished views of the night sky.
Clark has presented reams of lighting reports and sample legislation to the council, and has suggested the city adopt a “full-cutoff” light standard — one in which a shield directs light at the ground and keeps light from spreading horizontally.
Wal-Mart uses that kind of lighting in its parking lot, Clark said.