'Dark sky' rules aim to dim lights across LI

They make you strain to see the stars, pull down your bedroom shades, and squint behind the steering wheel: Outdoor lights are everywhere, and a growing number of Long Island towns are grappling with what to do about them.

Islip Wednesday became the third town this year to adopt new restrictions on just about every aspect of outdoor lighting, along with Southampton and Southold. But East Hampton, which passed so-called "dark skies" rules four years ago, is debating easing them.

The goals in each case were the same: to reduce light pollution - which "dark sky" advocates say negatively affects human health and the environment, and impedes views of the night sky - as well as to lessen glare and "light trespass," or light projected onto another property.

"This is a serious issue, as serious as water and air pollution," said Patricia Burkhart, president of Friends of the Edgewood Preserve, who has pushed towns to adopt "dark sky" rules. "Like animals, we all need dark for our bodies to rest and regenerate. For birds and wildlife, it affects what they do at night."

Islip Councilwoman Trish Bergin Weichbrodt, who proposed the town's new policy, said after Wednesday's board meeting that she was struck by its importance on a trip with her children to Montauk.

"They were so amazed at the stars and it dawned on me that my kids don't know stars," she said.

The rules added to Islip's zoning code - which were criticized by one business owner - include specifications for parking lots, ATMs, service stations, flag spotlights (a narrow cone spotlight of no more than 1,300 lumens) and holiday lighting (permitted between Oct. 15 and Jan. 15).

The rules immediately require homeowners, where possible, to use outdoor lights no stronger than 100 watts, and to angle them no more than 45 degrees from vertical.

Businesses that close by 9 p.m. are now required to turn off exterior lights within 30 minutes of closing and no later than 11 p.m. Fines for residential property start at $250 and for commercial property, $500.

Within 10 years - and immediately for all new construction and renovation - homes and businesses must have lights conforming to a detailed policy that requires nearly all exterior lights brighter than 100 watts to be no higher than 20 feet from the ground and capped by a cover that prevents light from escaping on the top and sides.

Streetlights are exempt from the regulations, though town officials say they will install new lights with an eye to "dark sky" goals, and municipal playing fields are exempt from the height restriction.

Jerry Wolkoff, owner of the 24-hour Heartland Golf Park in Deer Park, protested the town's move, saying in an interview Wednesday that if he is forced to comply, he'll be forced to shut down.

The golf park has floodlights 40 or 50 feet high that shine horizontally across the complex, he said.

"These people like to see the flight of the ball," he said. "We have balls that fly 100 feet in the air. The town . . . shouldn't take a broad brush and say this is what you should do."

Susan Harder, the New York State representative for the International Dark Sky Association, said at least eight Long Island towns have adopted dark sky rules.

Businesses in East Hampton were given four years to comply with "dark sky" rules when they were adopted in 2006, but they have been criticized as confusing. Last month, following a public hearing, the town board agreed to extend the deadline to the end of 2011.

With Denise M. Bonilla

and Mitchell Freedman

Islip's light restrictions

• Existing residential exterior lights, where possible, must not be stronger than

100 watts, and must not be angled higher than 45 degrees from vertical.

• Businesses that close by 9 p.m. must turn off exterior lights within

30 minutes of closing and no later than 11 p.m.

• Within 10 years, most exterior lights brighter than 100 watts must be no higher than

20 feet and must be capped by a cover that prevents light from escaping on the top and sides.

• Fines for residential and commercial property start at $250 and $500, respectively.