Resident: Fix New Hospital Lighting, Landscaping

To the Editor:

Residents expect an environment free of obtrusive light, which according to the New Jersey Light Pollution Study Commission can be considered an invasion of privacy.ⁱ

The lighting situation in the Goryeb parking lot and along Franklin Street (from ) is exacerbated by:

• The decision to place two security booths and a valet parking booth within or beside the small east end Goryeb parking lot closest to taxpayers/residential homes (by driveway No. 4), which it is assumed will be manned 24/7;
• the lack of a buffer;
• the unapproved widening of driveway No. 4 which now causes sight line restrictions for planting a tall buffer;
• the removal of mature trees and shrubs replaced by low-height landscaping that fails to shield from light pollution and car lights;
• encroachment by additional 22 parking stalls, half of which are six feet closer to the street;
• four brightly-lit directional signs installed at each entrance way;
• outward-facing ambulance area lighting; and
• the flow of traffic directed to exit onto Franklin Street instead of a state route (Madison Avenue), which results in more car headlights illuminating local homes.

Communities have long considered the environmental impacts of their planning and zoning decisions. Indeed, the concept of environmental justice in zoning and planning is noted in the Sustainable Jersey certification program (of which Morristown has been certified) quoting from the Environmental Protection Agency. It notes that:

“Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. Meaningful involvement means that: (1) people have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public’s contribution can influence the regulatory agency’s decision; (3) their concerns will be considered in the decision-making process; and (4) decision-makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.”ⁱⁱ 

The Sustainable Jersey certification program was created for municipalities in New Jersey that want to go green, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term. The town created a Step Ahead Leadership Team empowered through municipal resolution to be the driving force behind Morristown’s community-wide sustainability initiative. And Morristown Medical Center is in fact a member of this team.

In light of this, it is difficult to understand why the hospital and the Board of Adjustment/Town would not consider the Sustainable Jersey initiative called “Reduce Light Pollution Action” as it reviewed the hospital’s lighting plans. This action aims to reduce destructive impacts like glare, light trespass and sky glow caused by inappropriate or misaligned light fixtures.

The Illuminating Engineering Society of America–the authority on lighting in this country–came out with a model outdoor lighting ordinance in June 2011. It acknowledged that environmental impacts of outdoor lighting fall into two categories: carbon footprint (energy used in the life of a product) and obtrusive light (impact on humans).ⁱⁱⁱ One of its suggestions includes having a curfew on lighting and says one benefit will be “improved sleeping conditions for residents.”

And, notably, the State of New Jersey established a light pollution commission in 1993, which reported back three years later. The Commission defined light pollution to include “misdirected light, stray light, excessive reflected light, light during hours when it is not needed and light levels in excess of what is necessary for the task.” ^iv It stated that inefficient luminaries can spill unwanted light well outside of the intended target area. Such is the case with Morristown Medical Center. 

One of the Commission recommendations was that planning boards in their site plan approval process review if architectural and sign lighting had been designed to minimize light beyond the target area. It also suggested that lighting of building exteriors be minimized or eliminated during those hours when it is not needed by using controls such as timers, dimmers, motion sensing devices, etc.

Although MMC is a beneficial use to the public, Franklin Street East residents do not believe that gives them the right to impact the quality of life of residential neighbors. There should have been careful study of light pollution in creating its plans. It is perplexing given that the prior lighting in the Goryeb parking area was downward facing, as is the current lighting at the top of the East parking garage, the entrance to Goryeb Children’s Hospital and the emergency entrance. The new lighting is, therefore, inconsistent with prior plans and structures.

With the concept of outdoor light pollution well established in this country and state, some of the requests that residents will make is that no security booths or valet parking booths be installed that create both light and noise pollution as well as an invasion of privacy; fully shielded luminaries, if not downward facing light consistent with the rest of the property be installed, and significant enhanced natural or man-made buffers be created to reduce MMC’s environmental and neighborhood impact.

i New Jersey Light Pollution Study Commission’s Report, 1996

ii http://www.sustainablejersey.com/actionlist.php, accessed 10 30 11.

iii http://www.ies.org/PDF/MLO/MLO_FINAL_June2011.pdf, accessed 10 30 11

iv New Jersey Light Pollution Study Commission’s Report, 1996

–Sheila Kolesaire, Morristown