We are surprised by our City officials’ lack of action in responding to the Chestnut Hill community’s dismay over the sudden arrival of new, excessively bright and cold LED streetlights in our neighborhood five months ago. The issue can easily be resolved, but city officials seem reluctant to engage, even though our community’s input would help build an aesthetically acceptable, safe and affordable outcome. 

Chestnut Hill residents are persistent when fighting for best solutions. We will stay on top of an issue that concerns us. In this instance, we are asking Councilmember Cindy Bass to continue to help us be heard. 

Here’s our message: The recently-installed LED residential lights are too intense and too white. By contrast, the new warmer/neutral lights on our commercial corridor along Germantown Avenue provide an example of the flexibility possible with LED technology. 

The City is inviting citizen comments on proposed LED fixtures at designated spots around Philadelphia. But it has not responded with a timetable or a plan to address the collective comments of Chestnut Hill residents.

Some facts: 

• 95% of area residents who answered a Chestnut Hill Local survey felt that the lighting was too cool and bright. They strongly preferred the warmth of lights like the ones the Streets Department selected for our commercial corridor.
• The Streets Department has stated in print and verbally acknowledged that they also believe the lights are too bright. 
• The manufacturer’s specification for the lights installed is testing higher than their own specification (with a color temperature or CCT of over 6000 kelvin, it measures nearly two times cooler). 

As a first step towards negotiating a change, we are again asking the Streets Department to complete a dimming pilot on East Highland Avenue.  Representatives promised to do so during an August 16 call arranged by Councilwoman Cindy Bass. That is: they proposed to test lights with a 3000K against the 4000K currently installed – which, again, are measuring on-site at more than 6000K. 

In short, the city will measure what they have installed and compare it to the manufacturer’s specifications. On the strength of the finding, we can begin the process of solving the problem together. 

We ask our City officials in the Streets Department to grant a holiday wish that they deliver on their promises by early December. 

Concerned Residents,
Laura Lucas
Tim Breslin
Robert J. Fleming
Stan and Valerie Cutler