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Flores, Dora From:Saara Tayani <saaratayani@berkeley.edu> Sent:Monday, January 20, 2025 6:47 PM To:eComment; Saara Tayani Subject:Public Comment, Time-Sensitive Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. To Whom It May Concern, My name is Saara, and I am writing as a concerned advocate for darker skies and as someone sensitive to bright lights. Santa Ana holds significant personal meaning for me; it is home to some of my closest family members, my local airport, and is a city rich in history, culture, and community vibrancy. Recently, I have been following the transition to bright LED streetlights in various cities across Orange County, particularly Irvine, CA, and advocating for darker skies and thoughtful streetlight planning. Friends residing there have shared challenges with increased brightness and glare, which have disrupted their daily lives. I, too, have experienced this intense glare while driving or walking in these areas, raising concerns for Santa Ana should similar transitions occur. Cities like Nantucket, MA, and Julian, CA, have demonstrated that it is possible to modernize lighting infrastructure while remaining mindful of residents’ well-being and environmental considerations. These municipalities have limited the correlated color temperature (CCT) of streetlights to 2700 K, reducing glare and preserving the natural beauty of the night sky. I am reaching out with genuine concern and a desire to understand how Santa Ana plans to approach any future streetlight replacements or upgrades. I kindly request that the city consider prioritizing the installation of lower-temperature LED bulbs (no higher than 2700 K). Additionally, implementing dimming capabilities and shielding could help mitigate glare and light pollution, fostering a safer, more comfortable environment for all. This approach would not only support individuals like myself, who are light-sensitive, but also align Santa Ana with the growing movement toward sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally friendly lighting practices. Thank you for considering my perspective. I look forward to learning more about the city’s plans and would be happy to discuss this further. I trust that Santa Ana will take proactive measures to maintain the quality of life for its residents and the integrity of its night skies. Warmly, Saara -- Looking forward. Onwards & Upwards... 2