Light pollution ordinance to be reviewed

By: Ashley Vasquez

Did the nighttime stars seem brighter 20 years ago? The stars aren't any less bright than they were, but light escaping from commercial and residential developments is making them harder to see.

Eric Larson, city community development director, is working with a local resident to draft language to restrict the type of lighting that is installed in residential neighborhoods. An ordinance provision was added to the city' commercial development requirements last fall.

“We adopted new language for commercial developments that restricts the types of lighting, the bulbs and essentially requires shades for the lights so that light doesn't escape upwards but down where it is intended,” Larson said. “We haven't seen what the changes will do yet because we haven't had a new development built yet, but I think it might help.”

The residential ordinance provision is expected to mirror the commercial change. Both changes come on the heels of complaints from Smithville resident Mark Krokstrum, who has been working with Larson to draft the ordinances.

Krokstrum said he didn't want Smithville's night sky to look like the sky above his hometown of Overland Park, Kan..

“You can only see about half the stars in Johnson County (Kan.),” he said. “There really isn't that big of a problem here in Smithville yet, but I think as we grow it could be an issue. We really should have something in place to prevent it down the road.”

Krokstrum said he knew light pollution was mostly about aesthetics, but he still thought it was an important issue.

“We do have to have a balance between what we need to practically light the city and keep everyone safe and the need to see the stars and be in a small-town environment,” he said.

Smithville Police Chief Ken Wilson said he didn't think the city was bright at all.

“This is a dark city,” he said. “From our perspective, lights detour thieves and vandals and keep businesses and intersections safe.”

Larson said the newly-drafted ordinance was set to go before the city's planning and zoning committee in May or June and for final Board of Aldermen approval soon after. For more information, call Larson at 532-3897.

Smithville Editor Ashley Vasquez can be reached at 532-4444 or ashleyvasquez@npgco.com.