Residents raise concerns about new street light and safety at 1800 South intersection during public comment

During the May 13 public-comment period at the Bountiful City Council meeting, several residents raised two distinct safety concerns: a newly installed street light described as excessively bright and recurring near-misses and a crash at the intersection of 1800 South and Bountiful Boulevard.

David Harrison of 285 East 1100 South told council members a new light installed on his street in the last two weeks was “so bright. I'm 3 houses away, and I can read the newspaper in my living room,” and asked what the city ordinance is for street lights and whether the fixture installed matched the manufacturer’s specifications and photometric report. Harrison said city staff had offered to send an inspector with a photometer to test the installation, and he asked the council to follow up on specifications, Kelvin rating and whether a shield could be used to limit spill light.

Neighbor Robert Peterson supported Harrison’s comments, saying the prior light was adequate and that the new LED fixture, even at the city’s lowest setting, is disrupting sleep for nearby residents.

Casey Keller of 1937 East Maple Holloway described a January crash at the intersection of 1800 South and Bountiful Boulevard that totaled a car and injured a resident still recovering. Keller said she has observed many near-misses over the years and asked the council to consider adding flashing lights to the northbound stop sign or other measures to improve safety.

Council members and staff asked for follow-up details and said staff would coordinate inspections and provide information at a future meeting. No formal council action on street-lighting standards or intersection changes was taken at the May 13 meeting; residents were invited to provide documentation to staff for follow-up.