Manzanita is renowned for its natural beauty, and for those in the know, its night skies, but those skies are increasingly bright, diminishing the visibility of the Milky Way and other constellations. Recognizing the importance of preserving the night sky for wildlife and stargazing, the Manzanita City Council is considering the implementation of dark sky guidelines.
The Dark Sky movement aims to reduce light pollution and preserve the natural night sky. This involves guidelines and regulations that ensure outdoor lighting is purposeful, directed, warm-colored, and energy-efficient include shielding lights, using appropriate brightness, and considering ecological sensitivity.
Officer Mike doesn’t think many people will have trouble adopting these standards through education.
“I think we’re still going to get shielding and glare elimination, and we can work with residents’ education, maybe a workshop before this happens.”
Light pollution not only obscures the celestial wonder but also has adverse effects on wildlife, particularly nocturnal species. In a town like Manzanita, which is already celebrated for its darkness, the initiative takes on added significance. It aligns with the town’s values of environmental stewardship and thoughtful urban planning, focusing on the preservation of natural habitats and the enhancement of stargazing opportunities.
Manzanita’s proposed guidelines are inspired by similar standards in neighboring cities Cannon Beach and Seaside. These cities have successfully implemented measures to reduce light pollution, and Manzanita is keen to learn from their experiences while tailoring an approach that fits its unique character as a smaller town.
The council recognizes the need to balance the benefits of adopting dark sky standards and guidelines with the potential impacts on residents. This includes considering unique challenges such as the effect of the guidelines on holiday lighting, a cherished tradition in Manzanita.
“I’ve heard a lot of comments about lighting in town, including complaints from residents about other residents, second homeowners, and short-term rental owners. So, I asked Leila and the city staff to look at implementing a dark Sky standard city-wide ordinance,” said Councilor Mayerle at the August 9 meeting.
The issue was brought to the council by Officer Mike and Code Enforcement Officer Max, who provided an overview of the Milky Way and the importance of preserving the night sky. The council’s next steps include further research, community engagement, and careful consideration of how to align the guidelines with existing structures and future planning.
Manzanita’s consideration of dark sky guidelines is a reflection of the town’s values and a vision for its future. By focusing on the preservation of natural beauty for wildlife and stargazing, Manzanita is taking a thoughtful approach that resonates with its identity as a small, mostly dark town.
Officer Mike explained the standards during a presentation to the council, “All lights should have a clear purpose, be directed only where it’s needed, and be warmer colored lights, which is a measurable amount. They also have definitions on outdoor lighting Basics, including downward light, lighting at higher angles, and in the glare Zone.”
The initiative is a step towards a more sustainable and conscious urban environment, reflecting a broader movement towards responsible city planning. It’s a vision where residents and visitors can look up and marvel at the stars, just as nature intended, in a town that values both tradition and progress.
A resident suggested that existing street-light bulbs could be swapped for sodium, a sentiment Mayor Deb Simmons agreed with, “I’ve been in some cities where the whole city at night is sodium, and it’s marvelous, you can see the stars!”
Watch the discussion here: