Complaints Heard by City Council on LED Lighting and Cruise-In Confusion

Complaints Heard by City Council on LED Lighting and Cruise-In Confusion

In a recent city council meeting held on Thursday night, a couple from Stoney Creek voiced their concerns regarding the issue of light pollution in their neighborhood. Equally, the meeting witnessed a complaint from a downtown business proprietor seeking clarity on the situation of East Elk Avenue when hosting cruise-ins.

Toni Winchester and her spouse, Jim, brought to light their dissatisfaction about the overbearing brightness of their neighbors’ lights, infracting on their otherwise tranquil dark sky. They relocated to the region five years ago. They were drawn to the area due to its rural surroundings, despite facing initial resistance from a top real estate agent who refused to showcase any properties within Carter County.

LED Lights Disturb Tranquility

After settling down in a house located on C. Grindstaff Road, they found their peace disturbed. The neighboring Evening Breeze Arena, which has installed LED commercial lighting leased from the city’s electric department, emanates a light so intense that it not only disrupts the rural peace but also intrudes upon their private lives. Toni Winchester described the light as piercing through a bedroom window and illuminating their hallway, if the bedroom door is left ajar.

The upgraded LED lights at the arena, located about 300 yards away from their home, were found to be intensely brighter than the previously used sodium lights. Another neighbor residing about 200 yards away also seemed to have installed these LED lights. Toni Winchester complained about the light from the neighbor’s north side casting a shadow onto her driveway and perfectly aligning with the pillow on her bed, thus forcing her to keep her door closed.

In an attempt to mitigate the light pollution, the Winchesters have made attempts to protect their home from lights stemming from neighboring streets. However, the transition from mellow yellow sodium lights to vivid white lights has resulted in an obscured night sky, depriving them of the pleasure of viewing stars and fireflies.

City Intervention Requested

Considering the Elizabethton Electric Department leases the lights, the couple sought an intervention from the city to address the issue. Jim Winchester guided the council members on the principles and alternatives of responsible outdoor lighting using handouts that he offered. City Mayor Curt Alexander proposed the inclusion of light pollution and dark sky topics during future workshops.

Cruise-In Confusion

Lisa Fletcher, owner of Fletcher’s Homemade, brought attention to the uncertainty surrounding the status of East Elk Avenue during cruise-ins. A sign reading “road closed to show car only” during a recent cruise-in sparked a series of discussions and signs leading to this confusion. It was later clarified that the road remains open during the cruise-ins, and drivers are merely encouraged to use alternate paths, unless visiting a business or the car show. City authorities have ensured appropriate measures to clarify that drivers can use the road during such events.

In other council actions, a sum of $100,000 from the 2024-2025 financial year budget was approved for distribution among nine non-profit civic and charitable organizations seeking the city’s financial aid.