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Council discusses options for decorative street lighting in Country Hills subdivision
Summary
Staff reported five decorative, aging fixtures along an 800-foot stretch of Arnold Drive in Country Hills; estimated installed cost to standardize lighting is about $7,300. Council agreed to present cost options to the HOA and seek feedback on funding approaches, including special assessments or HOA contributions.
Augusta— The City Council on Tuesday discussed options to address five aging decorative street lights on an approximately 800-foot section of Arnold Drive in the Country Hills subdivision and asked staff to take cost options back to the homeowners association (HOA).
Staff said Google Earth imagery and field review show decorative fixtures in poor condition—tilted posts, broken pieces and disconnected wiring—and that the street-lighting pattern changes to city-standard wooden poles beyond the 800-foot stretch. The decorative fixtures alternate sides and staff estimated the cost to install city-standard wooden-pole lighting (four poles, spacing adjusted) at about $7,300 installed (preliminary estimate). Upgrading to metal arterial-style poles like those on Ohio Street would be considerably costlier and is not recommended for a neighborhood street.
Staff outlined three general approaches: (1) treat the work as a new install and charge the benefiting properties (developer/HOA or special assessment); (2) cost-share with the city; or (3) city absorb the cost and standardize the segment to match the rest of the subdivision. Staff noted the city's preference for consistency with other subdivisions and cautioned that absorbing costs could set a precedent.
Council members and area residents discussed the HOA's membership rules (some homeowners opt out), the feasibility of special assessments (legal fees and potential protests), and alternatives such as HOA-funded replacement or a voluntary cost-sharing plan among adjacent homeowners. Several council members favored presenting the cost and options to the HOA and to the ten directly affected properties and then returning to council after the HOA's feedback.
Staff will notify the HOA and impacted homeowners with the preliminary estimates and outline options including special-assessment schedules and potential time limits for repayment.
