• A significant fraction of Fort Wayne is anti-government, not just anti-bad-government.
• This ordinance was passed because of an argument between neighbors, not as a reasoned addition to the building code.
• Most people made up their mind without giving the issue any thought.

Why I am in favor of Fort Wayne’s new anti-light-pollution ordinance:

The history of a lighting ordinance in Fort Wayne may stem from someone’s pet peeve, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a serious issue.

Not creating light pollution is common sense and common courtesy. No one benefits from light pollution. It takes no extra effort to avoid creating light pollution. Any decent designer, architect, or thinking person, will already only use lighting that meets these standards. When deciding how to light something, the goals are to put good quality light where it is needed, and to not waste any. Any lighting that comes close to meeting these basic requirements will fit within the range allowed by the ordinance.

Any light directly illuminating anything it is not intended to is simply wasted. This extra light creates glare and sky-glow. Neither of these have any conceivable benefits. Glare makes it harder to see both what was intended to be lit and anything else in the area. Many people probably notice that something isn’t right, but don’t know what. This leads to more poor lighting being installed, exacerbating the situation.

Security lights don’t actually improve security. They are a placebo. People feel they have done something, so they must be more secure, but this is not true. The studies have shown no security difference between lighted and unlighted.

The only problem I see with this ordinance is that it only applies to residential properties. It should apply to all lights, not only residential lights. Common sense anti-light pollution rules should be added to building codes.

Light pollution is insidious, so many do not consciously notice it, but all will benefit from its elimination.

Here is the text of the new Fort Wayne light pollution ordinance:

An Ordinance to amend Chapter 96: “Noise Control” of the Municipal Code of Ordinances for the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana

Whereas, the Fort Wayne City Council recognizes that all citizens expect a certain quality of life and respect; and,

Whereas, residents and neighborhoods should be mindful of certain assaults to sensory perceptions such as sound and light intensities; and,

Whereas, the Fort Wayne City Council has recognized a gap in the city’s Municipal Code that can give residents an avenue for relief of such offenses and assaults,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA:

Section 1. Chapter 96: “Noise Control” shall be amended to read:

Chapter 96: “Noise Control and other Sensory Control”

Section 2. §96.02: Definitions be amended to add the following definition:

A. Directional Lighting—any exterior lighting fixture that is placed so as to create a direct path of light aimed toward an object or structure or an exterior lighting fixture that has the capability of swiveling, turning or rotating the aim or direction to the light path including but not limited to spot lights, bullet and/or spot lights.

B. Exterior Lighting—Any directional lighting source that is mounted on or about the exterior of a residential property that emits any level of light, other than a lighting source in a public right-of-way.

Section 3. A new section– Exterior Lighting–be added with the provision that reads as follows:

§96.25 Use of Exterior Lighting.

Any directional exterior lighting on residential property should be designed, installed and maintained so as to re-direct or aim any directional light away from any adjoining residential property.

Section 4. §96.30: Enforcement, be amended to read as follows:

The Fort Wayne Police Department shall be charged with enforcing all provisions of this chapter. The Fort Wayne Police Department and the Fort Wayne Fire Department shall be charged with enforcing the provisions of §96.20 of this chapter.

Section 5. That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after its passage and any and all necessary approval by the Mayor, or an override of a Mayoral veto, and any legal publications required by Indiana law thereof.

The original file can be found on the city website.

Those on the correct side of the vote: John Shoaff, Karen Goldner, Tim Pape, Glynn Hines, and Marty Bender. Those on the wrong side: Liz Brown, Tom Didier, Tom Smith, and Mitch Harper.

The passage of this ordinance is surprising because so many in Fort Wayne are intentionally anti-green. This contrarianism can be seen in the News-Sentinel headline, putting light pollution in quotes.

Today’s state news isn’t good. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is eliminating the Office of Enforcement. Not a surprising move, considering Mitch Daniels’ reelection.

References:

• Mayor signs ‘light pollution’ revision
• City to curb yard lights
• International Dark-Sky Association
• Critics deride IDEM shuffle