Lights Cause Problems for Illahee Drivers

The in basket: D.A. Jahaske writes to say, “I am troubled by the dangerous glare from private property floodlights that hit the driver headed south on the Illahee-Brownsville Road just south of the Illahee community. This is in the 25 mph speed zone and in the curve to the left and then to the right. I assume that these may be security lighting.

The in basket: D.A. Jahaske writes to say, “I am troubled by the dangerous glare from private property floodlights that hit the driver headed south on the Illahee-Brownsville Road just south of the Illahee community. This is in the 25 mph speed zone and in the curve to the left and then to the right. I assume that these may be security lighting.
“The first two lights are on poles and are at about driver eye level, there are two or three more on a large building under construction. All present distracting glare, adding to the northbound traffic headlight glare.
“Are there any restrictions on lighting that address this situation? Who to contact? I know that there are shields for street lights to avoid glare problems and the public utilities respond to those problems.”
The out basket: There are restrictions that apply, and Jahaske’s inquiry has set the wheels in motion.
But it probably will be handled by the Kitsap County code enforcement office rather than the police or street department.
Doug Bear of county public works said a county traffic investigator checked the lights in question and decided they may violate the county code prohibiting more than one “candle-power” of light shining off one’s property.
They notified code enforcement and Steve Mount, who heads it, says one of the lights definitely violates that limit. He’ll contact the owner about shielding the lights to keep them from shining into the street, he said.
The owner in question had to sue the county for permission to build the “large building under construction,” so it remains to be seen how happily he’ll receive the proposal.