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Night Sky Pollution - Efficient Outdoor Lighting Code
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Reviewed Ideas
Forwarded to PlanPHX Leadership Committee and appropriate city department
Night Sky Pollution - Efficient Outdoor Lighting Code
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To develop a City building code that deals with Outdoor Lighting. The current P.C.C. 23-100 Outdoor Lighting code deals with lighting only as a nuisance and Neighborhood Services Dept. cannot cite under this code. 23-100 is not current with ARS 49-1104 and the City of Phoenix is lagging behind other Arizona cities who have developed Outdoor Lighting Code.

Phoenix needs a code with lighting standards to cut costs on wasted energy, regulate light illumination annoyances and reduce light pollution. This proposal is for a code that holds entities responsible for outdoor light pollution and energy waste by stipulating measurements for light (lumens) permitted and to prevent and control light pollution and energy waste. A code such as this would grant authority specific departments within the City to enforce and cite for violations thus generating revenue for the City as well.

Unlike other forms of pollution, the elimination of light pollution in all its forms actually saves money. Most bad lighting can be blamed on the advertising effects of illumination that appears brighter or "cheerier" than the competition is a well entrenched aspect of business lore. The resultant competition for "visibility" and advertising is leading in many communities to upward "ratcheting" of lighting levels and extreme examples of over lighting and glare.

Lastly, the location of species sensitive to light at night or the proximity of lighting to nature preserves has negative affects on the biorhythm of flora and fauna. Several of Phoenix’s mountain preserve and mountain park species are diurnal and nocturnal. Many residents and businesses near Phoenix preserves are affecting the natural experience of the preserves with excessive and careless outdoor lighting. The quality of life would improve with restrictions on outdoor lighting in areas near mountain preserves.

More Info:
Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition
Dark Sky Stakeholders Group
Light Pollution - National Geographic Magazine
International Dark Sky Association
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Idea Collaboration by  MindMixer