Sewanee Community Council: Too Much Light?


by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“There are lots of concerns about the new streetlights Duck River is installing,” insisted Laura Willis at the Jan. 27 Sewanee Community Council Meeting. The location of the lights, their angle, brightness, and whether or not they could be adjusted were not the only issues according to Willis. She directed the council’s attention to the organization Dark Sky International. “They have great guidelines about how to keep a community safe, but well lit,” Willis said. “Is there a way to be proactive and say we’re going to be a model?” Council member Ben Beavers observed, “I’ve received more emails about lights than anything else. People see the need for lighting, but [question] the location and brightness. They want to have input.”

Willis first brought the issue of the new LED lights to the council’s attention in January 2023. A subcommittee formed, but lacking active involvement from the University, the committee disbanded. Duck River installs the new LED lights when the old bulbs burn out, said Superintendent of Leases Sallie Green. Providing background, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management Robert Benton said the streetlight discussion with Duck River Electric Membership Corporation began as a conversation about improving lighting in Sewanee. “Some people think they’ve gone overboard,” Benton speculated. Duck River purchased thousands of LED bulbs. The utility provider was willing to install shields and point the lights in a different direction to prevent them from shining in people’s homes, Benton said. But he added, “The issue of birds and light pollution are much bigger than that. To change the lights community wide, they [Duck River] haven’t really been open to that discussion.”

“Lighting is certainly something that’s on the agenda,” said Provost Scott Wilson. Students and parents had complained about inadequate lighting, especially in parking lots. Although the University has no “lighting plan,” lighting is part of the new Safety Plan. “A few parking lots are remote, so there would need to be some sort of lighting on the walkway to those lots,” Wilson stressed.

Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen recommended he and Wilson meet with Mark Webb, the Sewanee representative on the Duck River Board of Directors. “There are multiple issues at stake here,” Pearigen acknowledged. “We need to have a conversation about what the possibilities are.”

“If people knew what the options available were, that might get us through until a more comprehensive lighting plan can be developed,” said Beavers. “If there’s something Duck River can do immediately to lessen the impact that would help.” “Duck River will work with you,” said Green. She urged residents troubled by lighting changes due to newly installed bulbs to phone the utility (931) 598-5228.

Also in the safety realm, Traffic Committee Chair Michael Payne updated the council on the location of new speed humps purchased with joint funding from the University ($6,000) and a Project Funding grant from the council ($6,000). The traffic calming devices will be installed in the problem areas of Alabama, Kentucky, and Missouri Avenues. Speed humps allow bicycles and baby strollers to pass unimpeded, Payne pointed out. Sites proposed for the other two sets of speed humps purchased include Georgia Avenue, the location of the Childcare Center and duPont Library, and the upper part of Roarks Cove Road, a location with many children whose families live in faculty apartments. Direct suggestions about locations needing speed humps to the Lease Office. The $2,000 remaining in the fund could be used for another set of speed humps or signage, Wilson said.

The council welcomed newly elected council representatives Walker Adams, Kevin Cummings, Katie Gohn, and Ed Hawkins. Adams volunteered to serve on the Agenda Committee. The Agenda Committee weighs decisions about whether the council should address a topic or direct a resident’s concerns to the appropriate University channel.

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