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Residents, bird advocates urge Palo Alto to move quickly on a dark‑sky ordinance and bird‑friendly building rules
Summary
More than a dozen public speakers urged the council to expedite a dark‑sky ordinance and stronger bird‑friendly building standards. Speakers cited health studies, bird mortality from collisions, educational and equity arguments and called for shields, timers, warmer lighting tones and clearer ordinance language for a first reading.
Multiple residents and environmental advocates urged the Palo Alto City Council on Sept. 15 to accelerate adoption of a dark‑sky ordinance and companion bird‑friendly building standards that they say would reduce light pollution, improve public health and lower bird collisions.
"Darkness is medicine," said Ronnie Fisher, chair of the Environmental Action Committee for the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, citing research linking artificial light at night to sleep disruption and long‑term health outcomes. Fisher urged staff to return to council with a first draft of a dark‑sky…
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