Who would have thought that an ordinary object like a street light could have such a profound effect on our lives?  Although I was not fond of the lights on my street, Highland Avenue, before the current LED replacements, I would have them back in a heartbeat.

These new blue/white LED lights are so bright that I can read by them in the house with the blinds half-drawn. Going for a walk in the evening, something we used to enjoy, is now a miserable experience, so we have stopped. Although our bedroom is in the back of our home, we now close the door to block the glare coming through the front window and down the hall. We can still use our backyard, but when the trees drop their leaves, that pleasure will also be gone.

The enclosed front porch serves as the winter greenhouse for my large orchid cactus plants. They hang there during the winter and bloom in April. They used to have dark nights - now they have light 24 hours a day. They will not bloom under these conditions. The animals, the birds and the outdoor plants are affected by these new lights as well.

I understand the concept of saving money for the city by using less expensive lighting. It could have been done using amber LED lights in full cutoff fixtures to prevent uplight and glare. Everyone - humans, animals, birds and plants - would have been happier and gone on with their normal lives. These lives have been profoundly changed by these overly bright LED lights.

Please correct this (apparently) unresearched error in lighting choice. My own research has taught me about measuring light. These new lights measure 8100K to 18000K (Kelvin) depending on whether a street has been designated a thoroughfare or a side street. Warm amber light is from 2000 to 2700K. Amber lights would go a long way toward restoring Philadelphians' quality of life. Those of us who enjoy walking around our neighborhoods could resume that simple pleasure and still feel safe.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Valerie Cutler

Chestnut Hill