Village Increases Limit In Proposed Lighting Code

As a public hearing on a revised East Hampton Village lighting code approaches, the village board, meeting last Thursday, increased the proposed Kelvin limit, which measures the hue of a light source, from 3,000 to 3,500. The proposed code will be considered at the board’s meeting on Friday, Nov. 20.

The changed limit was made in response to a request in August from Dennis Fabiszak, director of the East Hampton Library. Susan Harder, the New York State representative of the Dark Skies Association, and Mary Busch, representing the landmarks committee of the Ladies Village Improvement Society, attended the meeting and asked the board to retain the limit at 3,000 Kelvin.

Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. told Ms. Harder and Ms. Busch that the board would accept their remarks “as a precursor to the public hearing.”

Kelvin, Ms. Harder told the board, “is not a measurement of light output.” Rather, “it indicates the spectrum of light, including the amount of ‘blue’ light waves.” The higher the Kelvin, the greater percentage of blue light, she said. More blue light results in more glare, since blue scatters more in the eye, particularly in those of older people. She said it impedes visibility because it reduces the size of the pupil and creates greater “sky glow,” obscuring stars.

The Towns of East Hampton, Southampton, Riverhead, Southold, and Brookhaven have a 3,000 Kelvin limit, Ms. Harder said. “It’s better to install good lighting in the first place, rather than to change it afterward.”  

Ms. Busch seconded Ms. Harder, saying that the committee had discussed the matter in depth and concluded that a 3,000 Kelvin limit was advisable.

Also at the work session, Becky Molinaro, the village administrator, briefed the board on a draft proposal that would streamline the permit process for the removal of phragmites. Several property owners are engaged in what she called good-faith efforts to control the invasive species, and the planning and zoning committee had spent two to three months discussing ways to “make it less cumbersome for those who are looking to do the right thing.”

As drafted, the zoning board would be empowered to grant approval for four-year removal projects, rather than only annually. The new legislation would also allow, based on Building Department approval, a waiver of the present requirement for an annual updated survey.

“I think it’s the right direction to proceed,” Mayor Rickenbach said. He thanked Bruce Horwith, a conservation biologist who has been engaged in phragmites removal on properties around Georgica Pond and other shoreline properties in East Hampton and Southampton.

The board will notice the proposed legistation for a public hearing at its Friday, Nov. 20, meeting.