Committee Report - OSEE - 3-28-18 — File 205494

Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 4/12/2018 March 28, 2018 REPORT OF THE OPEN SPACE, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Wilfred N. Mbah Chair Present Jefferson Thomas ("J.T.") Scott Vice Chair Present Jesse Clingan Ward Four Alderman Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five Alderman Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Others present: Dan Bartman - OSPCD, David Shapiro - Law, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman Mbah and adjourned at 7:05 PM. Approval of the February 28, 2018 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 203881: That the Administration draft a Dark Sky ordinance addressing applicability, color temperature standards, prescriptive or performance standards, DPW oversight, and exemptions. Dan Bartman from OSPCD showed slides about Dark Sky to help with the discussion about creating an ordinance. Dark Sky ordinance would limit light pollution and reduce glare. A standard would be developed for lighting in public places. Mr. Bartman distributed a document a section on Development Standards for Outdoor Lighting from the Somerville Zoning Ordinance. There were discussions about a potential joint initiative with DPW and Transportation and Infrastructure departments to create the standards for the city. The standard would address the amount of light admitted. Mr. Bartman talked about Flagstaff Arizona initiated this effort with Dark Sky and how it was slowly losing the ability to do research and pioneered the concept to reduce the light pollution. There were discussions about how city lights can interrupt your sleep, cause irritability and sleep apnea. Mr. Bartman explained to the committee about Backlight, Uplight and Glare (BUG) ratings. Lights that are more orange are less disruptive to humans and wildlife. A question was asked if Dark Sky could be a part of the DPW manual. Questions were asked if there could be an incentive for residents to adopt Dark

Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 4/12/2018 Sky. Dark Sky may not show much difference in Somerville, unless our neighboring cities also adopt Dark Sky. Mr. Lou Morales, a resident in Somerville since 1991 and designer for lighting and electronics for lighting, came to the table. He talked about BUG standards and lighting that can cause headaches and sleeplessness. Some people wear sunglasses at night because of the lighting in Somerville. He talked about the possibility of using a diffuser to dim street lights. Another resident, Tori Antonio talked about going out for walks at night and would come back feeling anxious and how the lighting can affect the central nervous system. Residents can call 311 to have DPW change the street lights in the community. President Ballantyne motioned and it was accepted by all committee members for a one line sentence requiring DPW and Transportation and Infrastructure departments to implement outdoor lighting standards for public streets, facilities and spaces that are Dark Sky compliant. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202400: Green and Open Somerville submitting comments re: a dark sky ordinance. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204419: Renee Scott submitting comments re: #203059, the Tree Advisory Committee ordinance, #203365, the native species ordinance, and #203881, the dark sky ordinance. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204420: Lee Erica Palmer submitting comments re: #203059, the Tree Advisory Committee ordinance, #203365, the native species ordinance, and #203881, the dark sky ordinance. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204421: Janine Fay submitting comments re: #203059, the Tree Advisory Committee ordinance, #203365, the native species ordinance, and #203881, the dark sky ordinance. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202495: Tori Antonino submitting comments re: a dark sky ordinance. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED Handouts: • Outdoor Lighting Info (with 203881)