On Sept. 19, the Dranesville District Office of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Great Falls Citizens Association co-sponsored the Second Dark Sky Preserve Town Hall Meeting in a virtual series. Presenters discussed a proposal by county staff for a zoning amendment to minimize glare and overlighting around the Turner Farm Observatory in Great Falls to protect it from light pollution. The First Dark Sky Preserve Town Hall Meeting was held on March 23, 2022.

The meeting’s presenters offered solutions to enhancing dark skies, such as shielding lights and using amber lighting, not white lighting. 

According to MPO Katy Defoe, Reston Crime Prevention, Fairfax County Police Department, lighting is one piece of the puzzle and does not solve all security issues. Other measures are available that will announce activity, such as motion detectors. A homeowner’s first concern centers on what one wants to see, which is different in every situation. Lighting should have a clear purpose, be directed only where needed, be no brighter than necessary, and be used when it is useful. If possible, the use of warmer-colored lighting is better. “What we’ve talked about frequently in crime prevention is if you light it, they will come,” Defoe said. Over-lighting is not security lighting.

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