I spoke at the 2/11/20 Planning Commission hearing on the
proposed dark skies ordinance and made the following remarks:
Since our founding, we’ve had a tradition in America of
housing ourselves in what we could afford.
The frontier log cabin was expanded as the economy grew. This “add-on” tradition can be seen today in
places like San Mateo, as the basic homes of the post war suburbs become enlarged
for the more affluent of Silicon Valley. This tradition also occurred when New
York City absorbed massive immigration and tenements were built. They were
modest, but safe and sanitary. As the clothing industry prospered the minimum
standards were raised into what is called the new law tenement.
But about 40 years ago we discarded our heritage. People
whose feet seem to be off the ground and who often substitute intellectualism
for reality began promoting an upper middle class home for everyone. Areas were
down-zoned, with housing developments cancelled.
Codes, requirements and restrictions multiplied. Housing costs soared.
Many younger people today have given up the American dream of home ownership.
But for others, it means being camped out somewhere or living on the streets. Many
of these homeless die there while breeding contagious diseases that affect
others.
This didn’t happen suddenly. It was a little bit by
another little bit and always justified by noble ideals. The Dark Skies
proposal is another little bit. I oppose this and anything else that
unnecessarily raises the cost of housing. We need less, not more, regulation
and government control. But there is nothing wrong with ideas like downward
facing lights. Certainly, it is someone’s right to chose this lighting style. The
dark skies proponents could institute an education campaign. But raising the
cost of housing and the further enlargement of government that Dark Skies
includes is what I strongly oppose.
Mark Bennett
Pine Grove
