published: Thursday, March 12, 2009

County to consider lighting ordinance

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

SEBRING -- County Commissions heard arguments for a new ordinance that could curtail intrusive lighting in Highlands County.

Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to have a draft ordinance drawn up to regulate lighting.

Two local stargazers, Al and Kye Ewing, told commissioners about a conflict with a neighbor who runs bright lights all night in order to curtail their night adventures.

The Ewings moved from West Palm Beach to a 10-acre lot in the Venus area eight years ago for the dark night skies that allow them to pursue their interest in astronomy.

Two years ago, though, Kye said, a neighbor moved in who wants to discourage their stargazing and has installed invasive lighting.

According to Kye Ewing, the neighbor's lights not only keep them from looking at the heavens with their telescopes, but stalls their attempts at instruction of youth groups in astronomy.

Commissioner Don bates said he has intervened and attempted to assist in the matter, pointing out ways to shield and redirect the neighbor's lighting so that it doesn't affect his neighbors.

But, According to Bates, the neighbor refuses to consider the matter.

"A lighting ordinance is needed not just to resolve the Ewings' problem, but to handle many similar situations throughout the county," Bates said.

Bates said he hopes that, following public hearings, a proposed ordinance can be brought before the county commission in three months.

"I want to get something started, so we can have something on the books when people put up lights that are offensive to neighbors," Bates said.

"Light pollution is real, there's no doubt about it," said Commissioner Guy Maxcy.

"It's something worthy of going forward on and looking at."

Commissioner Edgar Stokes said he felt that many people think they're under too many government regulations already.

"I would say we need to move with caution," he said.

As the county's rural areas develop, Bates said, there will be more disputes between neighbors over lighting, and not all of them will be over "stargazing."

Jean Warren, vice president of the Highlands County chapter of the Audubon Society, said the group's 300-plus members would definitely support a lighting ordinance because they feel that "excessive and glaring lighting does harm birds."