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Scottsville council adopts proclamation for International Dark Skies Week, staff eyes lighting code changes
Summary
Scottsville officials voted to adopt a proclamation recognizing International Dark Skies Week (April 21'28) after public comments urging stronger action on outdoor lighting; staff said zoning code limits enforcement and will pursue utility outreach and comp-plan language to support future changes.
The Scottsville Town Council voted to adopt a proclamation recognizing International Dark Skies Week and heard public comments urging stronger local action to reduce nighttime lighting.
Kristen Hughes, introduced in the record as the new president of SCAN, thanked the council for taking up the proclamation and said the group would like the town to move beyond symbolic recognition. "We're getting into the spring bird migration," Hughes said, noting that many migrating birds travel at night and can be harmed by bright lighting. She urged the council to "put some teeth behind these requests" and encouraged public education about light reduction.
Town staff told the council that the proclamation reflects work by community volunteers (named in the record as Peggy Cornett, Christine Putman, Carol Carter and Gareth Hunt) and described constraints in local authority: the zoning code currently has limited tools to regulate outdoor lighting except in sign rules and during review of ARB and site plans. Staff said it has contacted the utility about options to dim or change the timing of street lights and has consulted with other municipalities about outreach and policy approaches.
Councillors discussed how lighting controls could be advanced through the comprehensive plan and later revisions to zoning code language, which would allow enforceable standards to accompany future site plans and special-use permits. One councilor suggested including the issue in upcoming comp-plan work so zoning revisions could "bear fruit." The council ultimately moved and adopted the proclamation by voice vote.
Council members asked staff to continue outreach to the utility and to return with recommended language and implementation options, including possible public education and timing/practical adjustments to lights controlled by external providers.
The council meeting packet notes the town previously recognized Dark Skies Week in 2024; staff indicated they will continue to follow up with recommended next steps for zoning, utility coordination and public outreach.
