Commission opens initial review of dark‑sky and tree regulations; staff to refine recommendations

Staff told the commission the proposed dark‑skies and urban‑forestry language originated as model ordinance text distributed by council and drawn from national sources. A staff speaker summarized the provenance as “the model lighting ordinance from the Dark Skies Alliance and the ... Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, IESNA,” and said the drafts are intended as starting points for local discussion and refinement.

Public commenter Jennifer Delgado had earlier shown NASA satellite maps comparing 2012 and 2025 and told commissioners she is an astronomer who is concerned about blue‑rich LED lighting; she cited the American Medical Association’s guidance that higher‑Kelvin lamps can have negative health impacts. Commissioners raised technical questions about photometric standards (0 foot‑candles at the property line), color‑temperature caps (Kelvin limits), auto‑dimming systems, construction‑period lighting compliance, and the practicality of a five‑year amortization/phase‑out for existing fixtures.

Staff and commissioners agreed further review is needed before any text amendment. Staff recommended consulting technical experts (state forester, K‑State extension, an arborist) and preparing a focused recommendation that explains which new standards are being proposed, which existing rules would remain in place, and how any retrofit or reimbursement programs might be implemented. Commissioners expressed interest in strengthening the city’s lighting standards but were hesitant to adopt wholesale model language without staff analysis and recommended that staff return with narrower recommended changes and a public‑engagement plan.