by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Revisiting the Sewanee Community Council October discussion about danger to cyclists on University Avenue, especially children, due to cars parked in the bike lanes, at the Jan. 23 meeting Sara McIntyre offered a solution that addressed both cyclist safety and the parking shortage. The council also discussed the need for sidewalks, concerns about light pollution from streetlights and insufficient lighting, and heard updates on housing and the April 29 community cleanup.

McIntyre, University Sustainability Coordinator, proposed doing away with the bike lane on the chapel side of University Avenue and constructing a two-way bike lane on the Sewanee Elementary School side with a curb “barricade” to prevent parking. To accommodate parking needs for “extreme cases,” McIntyre suggested turning the grass area next to the sidewalk into parking on the chapel side. Looking at the bigger picture, McIntyre recommended increasing parking permit cost, reducing the number of parking permits, eliminating parking privileges for freshman, and having student parking lots away from central campus, a strategy McIntyre said would create 600-700 more parking places for events. County Road Commissioner Johnny Hughes expressed “pro” sentiments to the two-bike lane idea, according to McIntyre, and many colleges and universities had distance parking for students. Her plan did not call for eliminating any parking in the downtown area.

Towing cars parked in bike lanes, the other solution proposed, gave “the wrong message” about Sewanee, some council members argued, and would be difficult to carry out since Sewanee has no tow trucks. Council members Ben Beavers and John Solomon favored the two-way bike lane idea, but suggested, until the plan could be implemented, removing the bike lanes due to the danger. Council member Phil White observed inadequate University parking conveyed the message to non-campus Plateau residents, “the University doesn’t want us there for events.” White suggested widening University Avenue by 12 feet. Acting Vice-Chancellor Nancy Berner concurred, “it should be part of the discussion.” Berner said plans called for a student campaign to deter students from parking on University Avenue, highlighting community wellbeing and safety. Law enforcement intends to step up patrol during times elementary school children are travelling to and from school.

Revisiting the need for a walking path on Breakfield Road, Solomon cited a discussion with acting Provost Scott Wilson who pointed out it would be unfair to favor one section of town over another and the master plan being created addressed the need for more sidewalks. Other areas identified as desperately needing sidewalks included Roarks Cove Road, Kentucky Avenue, and the area of the University Child Care Center.

Residents expressing concerns about streetlights cited health risks from LED lights in the blue color spectrum, including macular degeneration, headaches, and damage to children’s eyes; they recommended LEDs in the orange color spectrum. Others complained light pollution threatened wildlife, especially birds, treefrogs and fireflies, and said Sewanee’s “night sky” was no longer visible; they recommended fixtures directing light downwards. Still others complained of dangerous “dark” sections of town with inadequate street lighting. Superintendent of Leases Sallie Green explained as streetlights aged, they became dimmer. Duck River Electric had been replacing failing lights with LEDs of the same illumination value. The LEDs appeared brighter compared to the aging lights replaced. Green said residents with objections to the new lights should contact Duck River and the direction of the lights could be altered, but the lights could not be removed. Green also asked residents to notify her when a streetlight burned out.

Council member Laura Willis, who formerly served on the Duck River board, said while Duck River could respond to problems on a case-by-case basis, the community needed to ask itself, “Does Sewanee as a community want to be serious about light pollution? It’s going to take the community saying to Duck River, ‘We want this type of light. We want this type of fixture.’”

Updating the council on the Sewanee Village Venture housing initiative, University Vice President for Economic Development and Community Relations David Shipps said six houses were under construction for employees to purchase. The houses ranged from $300,000-$340,000 in cost and 1,400-1,800 square feet in size.

White announced those wanting to participate in the two-hour community cleanup Saturday, April 29 should meet at the Mountain Goat Trailhead at 9 a.m. Participants will be given a sack and assigned an area to tidy up. Snacks will be provided.

The council welcomed new members Ben Tarhan (District 1), Ben Beavers (District 2), Michael Payne (District 3), Rhea Bowden and Laura Willis (at-large members), and returning member Marilyn Phelps (District 4, reelected for a full term). The council also welcomed appointed members Robert Benton and Nysha Wallace. The council elected Willis to serve on the agenda committee which reviews what will be brought before the council for discussion.