Resident urges Auburn to review LED streetlight replacements, citing glare and health concerns

At the public comment period on June 22, resident Adam Terrella asked the City Council to review recent streetlight replacements in the Skyidge neighborhood, saying the new bright white LED fixtures lack shielding and create glare that spills into homes.

“I'm not opposed to street lighting for public safety. I'm just asking that responsible lighting be warm color temperature, proper shielding, lower brightness where appropriate and clear specifications for any contractors or utility providers performing this work,” Terrella said, and cited guidance from the American Medical Association and International Dark-Sky groups about minimizing blue-rich, high-intensity lighting.

Several council members and a second resident said they have experienced similar issues. City staff and council clarified that the poles and many fixtures are owned by the utility; staff said they will work with the utility’s public affairs representative and Public Works Director Menel Dean to explore options for shielding, color-temperature specifications and contractor standards. "We are working on it," Menel Dean said.

The resident asked that the council refer the matter to staff for further review and consider placing the issue on a future agenda; staff indicated they would review fixture specifications (color temperature, lumens, shielding) and report back to council. The record uses a variety of spellings for the utility; staff referenced outreach to the utility's public affairs staff.