Conversion to LED Streetlights

This page updates the community about the conversation of existing conventional lamps to brighter, whiter LED bulbs.

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.

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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

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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

BACKGROUND | Published in the January 8, 2025 UMNA e-Newsletter

Over the past couple of months new LED bulbs have become apparent on a number of side streets in Upper Monroe. Conversion to LED bulbs has been taking place on main roads in the City of Rochester for some time. (All of Monroe Avenue in the City is now lit by LEDs.) The replacement of lights on the side streets, however, is just getting underway in UM. The older, yellow-er “conventional” bulbs are being phased out. As they fail the street lights are retrofitted with new LED bulbs. City representatives we talked to were unclear about when to expect wholesale replacement.

As you can see in the photo of Shepard Street above, the new “daylight” white LED bulbs are very much whiter and very much brighter than the old bulbs. LED bulbs are expected to be cheaper to run, last longer and cheaper to replace according to the City of Rochester’s Office of Environmental & Sustainability.

Some of the neighbors living in proximity of the new LED streetlights, however, aren’t at all happy about the changeover. Informal reports from affected residents indicate the whiter, brighter LED bulbs throw light further than the current bulbs. As a result, the stronger bulbs have been illuminating nearby street-facing rooms. Even at some distance, neighbors tell us the brighter light can be perceived as intruding into living spaces to a greater degree than conventional lights.

Recognizing that eventually ALL the current conventional bulbs will be replaced by the new LED bulbs, a number of neighbors are decrying how the combining effects of even stronger lights along city streets will disturb the natural environment. We know how concentrated, intense lighting reduces visibility of the night sky. Brighter lights are certain to worsen the problem. These factors are known to adversely affect humans; physically as well as psychologically.

There are neighbors concerned about crime who see the new bulbs as a desired feature they associate with deterrence. Cost conscious neighbors welcome the long term economic savings they hope will reduce the size of future tax rate increases. Those concerned about climate impacts have expressed support for the benefits of a reduced carbon footprint in this energy usage category. Why isn’t it happening faster, they ask. So, it’s a mixed bag.

There may be ways to mitigate at least some of the concerns and retain most of the benefits. A group of interested neighbors is poised for action. If you would like to learn more, please reach out to [e-mail].

2025 January 25 | Discussion: Conversion to LED Streetlights

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).

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LED Streetlights Agenda and Information Sheet January 2025.pdf

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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.

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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.