ECA Update on the 4000K LED Streetlights

Since the ECA does do not think the legitimate concerns and objections of Eastown residents regarding the installation of 4000K LED streetlights have been adequately addressed, the Board, sent this Letter to the Mayor & Council in October 2023 urging them to reconsider the installation of 4000K LED fixtures and provide Eastown with the warmer color, lower temperature option (3000K or less).

Although the ECA did not receive a formal response from the Mayor or the Commissioners, the Managing Director of Public Services, James Hurt, met with the Program Coordinator of the ECA, Steve Staggs. Hurt provided the following information. Although the City does have the ability to dim the streetlights, dimming them will not decrease the temperature. In other words, the City’s standard temperature for streetlights is 4000K. As for installing shields, the City currently does not have the inventory to install shields with every 4000K replacement. He then went on to tell us that the City will address complaints regarding 4000K LED streetlights on a case by case basis. Therefore, if a resident would like a shield installed on a particular light and/or a particular light dimmed, residents must call 3-1-1 to make a request with the City.

Those residents whose disabilities are being triggered by the 4000K LED streetlights can file a Title II Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Complaint with the City for review by the ADA Coordinator. A Title II ADA Complaint can be filed either online or in person. In addition, residents can file by mail, email, or phone. For detailed instructions on filing a Title II ADA Complaint, click here. Residents with disabilities whose symptoms are being triggered are also encouraged to contact Disability Advocates of Kent County at (616) 949-1100. In addition, the President of the Soft Lights Foundation, Mark Baker, who already filed a Title II ADA Complaint with the City because his symptoms are triggered by 4000K LED streetlights, has offered to help residents file a Title II ADA Complaint with the City. If you would like to contact Mark Baker, you can email him at the following address: mbaker@softlights.org.