The city of Tucson's outdoor lighting code was enacted almost 40 years ago, largely to protect the astronomical research that happens around Tucson. The code regulates the amount of light commercial and residential properties can emit, downward and upward.
The code has been updated several times, as lighting technology has improved. The last rewrite was in 2006. Now, a joint city-county lighting code committee is recommending another update.
Panel members say they tried to address a common complaint of Tucson businesses -- that the code was complicated and hard to comply with. Committee member Buell Januzzi, a former director of Kitt Peak National Observatory, says they tried to strike a balance between public safety and preserving the night sky.
And Scott Kardel, with the International Dark Sky Association, talks about how Tucson's outdoor lighting code has helped the astronomical community, even in the wake of unprecedented growth in the area.
The draft revision to the code was discussed at a recent Tucson city council meeting. They voted unanimously to study the issue and bring it up for a formal vote at a later date. The council is the first step toward ratifying the new code, because it can’t be adopted county-wide until the largest city in the county approves it.
See the draft revision of the Outdoor Lighting Code:
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