Norwalk committee weighs light‑pollution concerns, seeks planning and zoning input

Public comments at the July 21 meeting raised light‑pollution concerns in several neighborhoods, prompting the ordinance committee to ask for interdepartmental review and public education before pursuing regulatory changes.

Diane Loracella urged the committee to retain existing ordinances and to add targeted outreach and enforcement, specifically emphasizing education for landscapers and the Hispanic community and recommending UL listing for batteries and chargers when electric equipment is involved. "I just wanna encourage that you do not get rid of this ordinance... I would like to see more enforcement, but enforcement with education," Loracella said.

Miguel Frasconi described what he called excessive, uncovered bulbs lighting marsh and private property along the Wilson Avenue waterside and asked for a simple requirement that exterior business lights be cased or shielded to prevent light trespass.

Committee members recommended seeking guidance from Planning & Zoning about what can be regulated through zoning versus ordinance; they also suggested charging the city's sustainability and resilience task force with developing options and asked staff to consult public safety and school officials about lights being left on in school buildings overnight. The chair said zoning might be more effective than an ordinance in many cases.

Next steps: staff will follow up with Planning & Zoning, Parks, Public Safety and the sustainability/resilience task force and will return with options for education, administrative guidance or regulatory changes as appropriate.