Conversion to LED Streetlights

Street light maintenance in the Upper Monroe area can be requested on a 24-hour basis by calling 311 or by filling out this form online.

GOOD GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC

Audio Report produced by Living Planet - Part 1: Light pollution – Bright lights, big, LED cities reported by Kathleen Schuster - Click here to read the transcript of Part 1

Interviewees: Chris Kyba, physicist and light pollution detective, Ruhr University Bochum; Jana Eccard, animal ecologist, University of Potsdam

Audio Report produced by Living Planet - Part 2: Light pollution – Rewilding the night - reported by Kathleen Schuster - Click here to read the transcript of Part 2

Interviewees: Dr. Taylor Stone, program manager at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands; Dr. Rupert Griffiths, researcher urban design, Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts at Lancaster University; Dr. Nick Dunn, professor of urban design and executive director of Imagination, Lancaster University; Dr. Alison Powell, associate professor of media and communication, London School of Economics; Dr. Gina Maffey, writer, science communicator

The following speakers addressed the Rochester City Council on concerns related to LED streetlights on Tuesday, January 23, 2025. There were quite a few speakers that night. If you prefer, you can advance the video along the following sequence.

1. The clip below begins with remarks on this topic by Rome Celli, president of UMNA.

2. At 25 minutes, 24 seconds Mary Ann Cole from the North Winton Village neighborhood spoke.

3. At 33 minutes, 34 seconds Robert Sandgrund from the Upper Monroe neighborhood spoke.

4. Immediately following Robert, Laurie Kash from the Upper Monroe neighborhood spoke.

Rochester NY Speak to Council 1/23/2024YouTube

Community conversation about the conversion to LED streetlights held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at a private home in Upper Monroe

Attendees: Michael Amy (Shepard Street), Rome Celli (Werner Park), Mary Anne Cole (Jersey Street), Elizabeth Goins (Crosman Terrace), Tim Guyot (Alliance Avenue), Adam Herdzik (Crosman Terrace), Laurie Kash (Shepard Street), Robert Sandgrund (Shepard Street), Kerria Weaver (Democrat & Chronicle) and Jeanne Weber (Alliance Avenue).

Next Steps:

• Advocate for the usage of "amber" colored LED bulbs;

• Generate and examine field data from around Rochester to determine LED performance relative to dark skies compliance;

• Generate and examine field data to determine the actual level of illumination, intensity and throw;

• Advocate for more effective shielding in cases where affected neighbors experience light intrusion;

• Advocate for deeper community engagement in ongoing efforts to convert to LED lighting across the city;

• Take a look at municipalities in other areas of the United State that have adopted overarching "dark skies" standards. What were their goals? What data was used to decide their standards? What are the demonstrable, objective outcomes since the standards have been implemented?

• Based on what we have learned update/revise any potential opportunities for individual residents;

• Be mindful of other related potential impacts such as digital billboard signage proposed along Rt. 490 in sight of Upper Monroe and Cobbs Hill Park; and

• If potential widespread modifications are available for the neighborhood, gather and share broad-based information about what is possible and then solicit many perspectives and inputs to see if a consensus emerges.

Street light maintenance in the Upper Monroe area can be requested on a 24-hour basis by calling 311 or by filling out this form online.

Street light maintenance in the Upper Monroe area can be requested on a 24-hour basis by calling 311 or by filling out this form online.