Shorewood trims several streetlight assessments, directs ordinance change and approves brightness adjustments

The Village of Shorewood’s public works committee and village board took several actions Oct. 13 related to the new streetlight system: the committee amended or denied six individual appeals to the streetlight operation special charge, the board directed staff to draft an amendment to the annual streetlight charge ordinance to bill corner lots by their shortest side (with a 40‑foot floor), and the board approved adjusting fixture brightness settings rather than abandoning dark‑sky fixtures.

The appeals considered by the committee covered six addresses that had been assessed under the new streetlight operation special charge in village code chapter 68, section 68‑36 (appeals process in sub‑section f). Attorney Baer advised the committee that the appeals were timely under the ordinance and that committee members should evaluate them using the same standards applied to earlier appeals.

The committee amended assessments for four corner‑lot properties to use shorter measured distances pending final GIS verification, and denied appeals for two properties. For example, the assessment for 1219–1221 E. Congress was revised from a reported 124 feet to an estimated 47 feet (recalculated to an assessment of about $209); the committee approved a similar reduction for 2519 E. Wood Place (to roughly 60 feet, $267.60) and for 2520 E. Wood Place (to roughly 44 feet, $196.24). The committee also approved adjusting the assessment for 3805 N. Bartlett to an estimated 48 feet ($214.08). An appeal for a property previously adjusted to 58 feet was denied when members agreed the earlier measurement should stand; an appeal for 4485–4487 N. Frederick was denied because the shortest distance and current charge matched (50 feet, $223). The committee noted that final distances would be confirmed by the village’s GIS specialist.

Nut graf: The actions at the committee and board levels aim to reconcile individual appeals with a village‑wide charging approach after the installation of new LED fixtures. Trustees said they want consistent billing and predictability for residents while accommodating a limited number of corrections where GIS or prior committee direction supports a shorter measurement.

Trustees and staff discussed two related policy matters at the board meeting. First, in response to the committee rulings, the board voted to direct staff to draft an ordinance amendment that would calculate corner‑lot linear feet using the shortest lot side but not apply a figure below 40 feet. Trustee Ersink moved the directive and Trustee McGovern seconded; the motion carried in board action with six ayes and one refusal (recorded in the meeting as 6 ayes, 1 refusal). Village Attorney Baer explained the change would require a formal code amendment and, if adopted, would affect the linear‑foot charge used in the next full recalculation of the annual rate.

Second, trustees debated how the new LED fixtures should be operated for brightness and whether to add house‑side shields that would reduce light on private property. DPW staff explained the installed fixtures are adjustable and could be set to lower lumen outputs at install or later adjusted in the field; shields are available and can be installed at the factory or added later. Trustees expressed competing priorities: some cited public‑safety and sidewalk lighting needs recommended by the police department, others cited complaints about glare into bedrooms and the village’s dark‑sky commitments.

After extended discussion the board approved a motion to pursue option A — adjust fixture brightness settings across installed lights and develop a consistent policy mapping settings to street types (side streets, intersections, main corridors) while retaining the dark‑sky fixture design. Trustee Ersink moved to approve option A; Trustee Warren seconded. The board recorded the motion as passing 5–2. Trustees and staff agreed to keep a small inventory of house‑side shields to install on a case‑by‑case basis for exceptional situations where a light sits unusually close to a dwelling.

Background and next steps: Attorneys and staff said appeals granted by the committee have already been processed for the current year where applicable; changes to the ordinance would be drafted by staff and returned to the board for formal adoption before taking effect for 2026 billing. DPW staff will confirm final linear‑foot measurements using GIS and will provide a manager’s memo and public communications explaining timing and financial implications of the change, as trustees requested.