[AZ-Observing] Re: Fw: Meeting Notification: MAG Dark Sky Stakeholders Group, April 19, 2011

  • From: Howard Anderson <handy13@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:46:37 -0700

.
Hi,
I just talked with Jami Garrison who chairs the "MAG Dark Sky 
Stakeholders Group".
(Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG).  Sort of an advisory group I 
think.)

The purpose of the group is to create a document that will serve as a 
template for
various Maricopa County agencies if they ever decide to change their 
lighting ordinances.

The current draft template is "MAG Draft Pattern Outdoor Lighting Code" 
where the
word "pattern" means "template."

This group discussion was started by the astronomy community in Arizona 
hoping
to make progress on reducing light pollution or at least holding the 
line on it to
some extent.

Tomorrow's meeting will feature the opposing side, i.e., the promoters 
of more
light for billboards, parking lots, stores, etc. 

The meeting will consist of presentations by (presumably) the lawyers 
representing
these groups.

Lots of relevant documents at:  
http://www.azmag.gov/Projects/Project.asp?CMSID=1082
under "Resource Library", "Resources".  Documents essentially showing 
what the
speakers will be addressing.

The meeting is apparently (from what I gathered in discussion with Jami) 
somewhat
informal with opportunities to question and comment on the issues. 

It would be good if more of us could show up at the meeting tomorrow:
Tuesday, 19 April 2011, 1:30 PM
Saguaro Room 2nd Floor
302 North 1st Avenue, Phoenix
Parking available "under" the building from one-way 1st avenue street
according to Jami.  Parking will be "validated" by Jami.

In discussion with Jami, I have discovered that billboards have totally 
separate
rules "controlled" by a totally separate process and set of laws. 

Also street lighting has totally separate rules "controlled" by totally 
separate
processes and sets of laws. 

Also this "pattern" or "template" that will emerge from these 
discussions will not be
binding on anyone.  It will merely be another document that various 
municipalities
can take into account if and when they ever get around to revising or 
adopting
lighting ordinances.  I'm sure the lawyers will jump all over any 
municipalities
that ever get around to lookiing at this.

I plan to attend the meeting.  

However, I think the cause is hopeless.  Sorry for that opinion, but the 
lawyers
are employing fear tactics, i.e., if lighting ordinances are changed, your
business will go broke either because of the high cost of changing your
lights - $70,000 for a gas station, or because people will not be able 
to find your
business or etc.

Thanks,

Howard Anderson


stanlep@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

>Jack,
>I am pleased they are doing this for our input and benefit, but at the
>same time am surprised and confused. I haven't paid any attention to what
>is happening in Maricopa county because I have my observatory in Dewey,
>and property in NM I intend to develop. I do recall, though, that a few
>years back there were objections to self illuminated billboards (or
>whatever they are called), but now I see them everywhere. Was this not
>against an interest in dark skies? (note: this is a question and not a
>statement of fact as some on this list may *want* to interpret) Could you
>fill me in, and maybe others, if it doesn't take too much of your time,
>what has been happening at the MAG and county level that shows MAG, and
>the county, has an interest in dark skies because at least the self
>illuminating billboards demonstrate no interest (if I recall correctly
>that astronomers are against these kinds of billboards).
>Stan
>
>
>
>  
>
>>This is important and it is the real thing. We need to all be here,
>>whoever
>>is in an Astronomy Club and any other dark sky advocate. They are pretty
>>much doing this right now for our input and benefit, I kid you not.
>>Jack Jones
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>--
>See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
>send personal replies to the author, not the list.
>
>
>  
>


-- 

Thanks,

Howard, in Tempe AZ

Http://www.astroshow.com
http://www.AZcendant.com
http://www.ShastaDaylight.com



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