We are fortunate to live in a community adjacent to a major metropolitan area where we can enjoy a beautiful night sky. Most residents in Fountain Hills are aware that our current lighting ordinance has done a great job maintaining our dark skies while at the same time allowing adequate lighting for safety and other reasons.

However, realizing that new technologies such as extremely bright white LED lights could forever change our night sky quite dramatically, a Fountain Hills Dark Sky Committee was formed a year and a half ago. The committee’s focus has been to work with the International Dark Sky Association and Town staff to update the current lighting ordinance so that these new technologies are addressed and that the intent of our current ordinance is maintained.

Last Thursday, an updated lighting ordinance was presented at the Town Council meeting and our Fountain Hills Dark Sky Committee would like to thank Mayor Kavanagh and the Town Council for passing this updated ordinance. Thanks to them, not only will our dark skies be preserved, but we also now have the potential to pursue the very prestigious designation of Dark Sky Community by the International Dark Sky Association.

If anyone would like more information, they are welcome to email questions or comments to info@fhdarksky.com.