Author Topic: Dark Skies (Read 90793 times)

ezzpete · « **Reply #40 on:** Jun 12, 14, 02:04:27 PM »

Cheryl, the get off my lawn comment was a joke. the older i get the more i'm getting to be a grumpy old geezer. i don't have a lawn, total waste of water.

Nolena · « **Reply #41 on:** Jun 12, 14, 02:13:46 PM »

"Nolena: What about asking those neighbors to point their blinds in the up position? They may not realize their lights are intrusive."

Yeah. That's part of my plan. I think there are some kids staying there right now. I'll talk to the owner.

3PinkRoses · « **Reply #42 on:** Aug 15, 15, 09:24:01 PM »

Just curious...if we have any codes on the books that deal with nuisance lighting from other homes?

Wrightwood · « **Reply #43 on:** Aug 15, 15, 10:42:10 PM »

Quote from: Wrightwood on Oct 21, 03, 08:56:50 AM

The new Dark Sky Ordinance takes effect Oct 23, 2003 for Mountain & Desert areas of SB County.

Here's full copies of the new ordinance:

MS Word file: (requires MS Word on your computer)
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/darksky/darkskyord.doc

Adobe Acrobat file: (requires Free Acrobat Reader on your computer)
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/darksky/darkskyord.pdf

ChrisLynnet · « **Reply #44 on:** Aug 16, 15, 06:15:45 AM »

Thanks Wrightwood, I didn't know that existed.

Cheapskate · « **Reply #45 on:** Aug 16, 15, 01:54:43 PM »

My reading of the end of page 9 suggests...

...that on a moonless night if a yardstick casts a shadow on my property, then my neighbor is a "light trespasser", and I can complain to the controlling legal authority, who in this case seems to be the Land Use Services Director. Gimme a break.

Out of curiosity, is anyone aware of anyone who has filed a complaint?

Nolena · « **Reply #46 on:** Aug 16, 15, 08:27:02 PM »

It's time that we start reporting this stuff.
I'm tired of prison lighting at night.

tcaarabians · « **Reply #47 on:** Aug 17, 15, 10:12:09 AM »

I think (that means read it yourself) that the ordinance states you place the yardstick on the 'setback' place of your property. Therefore, not on the property line itself. I don't have that problem here as my neighbors are too far away. But, I can understand why those of you in WW may have "light trespassing" from neighbors. I love that term... it's so 21st century.

There are people that want a light on all night. I'm not one of them. But, they are people too. I guess it's a feeling of security. Some folks like to fall asleep with a radio or TV on. I'm not one of those either. I like dark and quiet. (Disclaimer: I am prone to playing rock and roll really loud during the day. But, my neighbors are far away.)

As for the security aspect of this. .. does it really work? Or, are you providing light for the gang that likes to siphon gas out of your car or steal something else out of your yard? I dunno. cheryl o7o

sagespirit · « **Reply #48 on:** Aug 17, 15, 11:25:44 AM »

I agree about serious invasive lighting. I had to live w/it in the city, and there is some outside lighting in WW that is out of control. As a former Detective I can say w/o a doubt that lighting is the cheapest and most effective way to protect your home, business, property, and self. Yellow bug lights are great, add ambiance, and sensor lights are very effective. Just last night there was an intruder on this property. My dog alerted to the human intruder and they left when I turned on the backyard light.

When I moved up here I was told WWdians don't need to lock their door. Ha!

I also think it makes a lot of difference how many people live on the property. If your house is almost always occupied, then there is activity and people present which is usually a deterent..and lights are on at night. But if you live alone, or as a couple, the activity level is much lower and lights may not be on. No matter what, I do not want to come home w/the exterior entrances to the house dark, nor would I want to come home to a totally dark house. There are many options for lighting (I prefer very subtle and sensor, but it works!) that help people keep safe from humans and animals. Even in WW, too much "stuff" happens.

3PinkRoses · « **Reply #49 on:** Aug 17, 15, 11:35:07 AM »

On the "bright side"....I took a long gander in the night at my own property...and have concluded thus far..all my big ole
pines are lit up, along with the cars, driveway area, landscaped rocks...the whole yard is lit up like it's a full moon x 10...this will actually work to
our benefit.

Cheapskate · « **Reply #50 on:** Aug 17, 15, 05:36:15 PM »

Me? I'm totally a "dark sky" guy. Not a single outdoor light at night.

But...the general contractor who lives across the street from me...good quiet neighbor, salt of the earth, etc. 2 trucks loaded with tools, compressors, ladders, and the other trappings of his profession. Like many homes in Wrightwood, small garage, trucks aren't going in there. One man's theft deterrence is another man's "light trespasser".

So...since I doubt the county Land Use Services Director is prepared to harass the honest working man doing what he needs to do to protect his livelihood on his own private property...since I doubt that mountain communities are going to forbid (former) city dwellers with a well-developed sense of home security from bringing themselves peace of mind...the Dark Sky Ordinance is well-intentioned clap-trap with zero actual enforcement behind it. The Land Use Services Director isn't just a paper tiger, he/she's the ultimate tissue paper tiger.

3PinkRoses · « **Reply #51 on:** Aug 17, 15, 07:27:33 PM »

Woah what just happened? I just came back from Mexico Lindo and my margarita was too strong or yours was, not sure, but all those words above just did me in.....

tcaarabians · « **Reply #52 on:** Aug 18, 15, 09:42:18 AM »

Sagespirit: I was told the same thing about not locking your doors when we moved to P.H. Then I was burglarized. The door was locked. I now have a security system again. It brings peace of mind whether it's a placebo effect or not.

Cheapskate: I'm not sure from your post if your 'salt of the earth/contractor/neighbor' has lights that shine on your yard. If so, you might suggest lights that do illuminate his trucks.. but shine in towards his house and not yours. And, you don't know how much of a paper tiger the enforcement agency for 'dark skies' is until you file a complaint.

3Pink: I hope you walked home. Those margaritas at Mexico Lindo are killer. cheryl o7o

Wrightwood · « **Reply #53 on:** Jun 10, 16, 07:45:28 PM »

the Milky Way is now hidden from a third of humanity

Nolena · « **Reply #54 on:** Jun 11, 16, 06:11:05 AM »

This organization provides some good information on preserving and improving our dark skies:

http://darksky.org/lighting/lighting-basics/

Nolena · « **Reply #55 on:** Dec 05, 21, 08:58:33 AM »

Time to remind people that we have a Dark Skies Ordinance in this county, so that we can all enjoy the night sky.

SkierBob · « **Reply #56 on:** Dec 05, 21, 10:13:42 AM »

light pollution has always been a pet peeve of mine. I have a neighbor over a half mile away that has ridiculously bright lights. He's from Chatsworth and is constantly quoting the city about this or that. Even with all those lights he's completely in the dark when it comes to knowing the difference between a city and and unincorporated L.A. County. Anyone that has moved in around me since 2008 are extremely clueless and complete city folks.

Another neighbor 3/4's of a mile to the Northwest lined his nearly quarter mile long driveway with bright lights. Sooner or later I expect an airplane to land on it.

I turned off all my outside lights a couple decades ago. I find I feel safer having my dog and the cloak of darkness on my side when it comes to people snooping around.

Now get off my lawn! oh wait I don't have a lawn either

Nolena · « **Reply #57 on:** Dec 05, 21, 03:51:32 PM »

Hahahaha!

I have neighbors who don't get it, also. They brought their city to the country. $:-\$
It doesn't make anyone any safer, and then you can't see the stars.

ForestGal · « **Reply #58 on:** Dec 05, 21, 04:35:59 PM »

I can remember, back to when we had our "cabin" on Linnet, and we would come up for a weekend, get out of the car, and look up and just be amazed at the stars! We lived in the South Bay then, so we were not used to dark sky and that many stars. Especially when it was winter, and snow, and the air was crisp, the stars were just incredible. That was 45 years ago, and the cold didn't bother me nearly as much as it does now, nor was I terrified of falling then. Eventually we would have to turn on lights to take our stuff in, but then we could turn them off and go out onto the deck and just be amazed.

Elk · « **Reply #59 on:** Dec 05, 21, 06:03:38 PM »

I spent some time in Flagstaff, AZ over the Thanksgiving holiday. They must have very strict dark sky ordinances/enforcement. All the houses in the neighborhood were all lit with downward lighting and it was relatively dark throughout the neighborhood. It was very welcome although a bit tough to find our Airbnb address in the dark when we arrived.

Author Topic: Dark Skies (Read 90793 times)

ezzpete