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Council pauses planned lights on Salina Court after resident objections; moves two lights to East Drive and directs petition process
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Summary
When Salina Court residents objected to new solar street‑lights, the council agreed to leave those lights off the cul‑de‑sac, move two planned installations to East Drive near Salsa Market, and directed staff to create a petition/prioritization process for future light requests.
Staff updated the council on the street‑lighting assessment project, noting a pilot of 12 solar lights and an in‑progress Phase 2 installation of 97 additional lights. The Community Safety Commission provided a point‑based prioritization framework to guide future installations.
Several residents of Salina/Salena Court asked the council not to install lights on their cul‑de‑sac, citing light spill into bedrooms, impacts on nocturnal wildlife and a desire to preserve dark‑sky conditions. "If your bedroom happens to be on that side of the street, too bad," said resident Jeanne Chick during public comment, who presented a petition from neighbors asking to keep the cul‑de‑sac dark.
Staff acknowledged some households in Selena Court opposed the installations and offered temporary holds while staff works with residents on placement and shrouding options. Councilmember Contreras moved to relocate two lights planned for Salina Court to East Drive by the Salsa Market and to instruct staff to develop a petition and prioritization process for future installations; the motion passed unanimously. Council also directed staff to explore shrouds or adjusted placement to reduce light intrusion where feasible.
City staff said notices are mailed to affected residents and that installed solar lights can be relocated at additional cost if needed. "We have been working with individual owners to just move the lights to a location that they're not objecting to," staff said.
