Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

tim0767 t1_j613lgx wrote

Police can't do anything about that it's private property. Blackout curtains are your only option

−14

VendaGoat t1_j613q7g wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#1,517,098)

Do you want to have a drawn out, lengthy and possibly expensive fight, that will ultimately end up with the state telling you that they can do on their property what they want to do, or, would you like to spend a couple hundred and fix the issue inside your house?

−14

1MagnificentMagnolia t1_j614050 wrote

I'm pretty sure there are laws or ordinances against having security cameras surveilling people's private property. I wonder if security lights illuminating other's properties would or could fall under the same...

2

zipcad t1_j6155zj wrote

311 or pgh311 on twitter

10

twistedscrew t1_j615gqb wrote

The city has light pollution ordinances - I would check with 311

93

bboggio28 t1_j6165e5 wrote

You can report via 311. There are certain aspects of the lights orientation that can be adjusted, maybe, to reduce the throw. If you choose 311 they will likely be served with a notice of violation and have to examine corrective actions.

89

JuliaX1984 t1_j61catg wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#1,517,098)

They're not, but if underpaid, overworked, undertrained civil servants don't bother to go out and enforce it, call Budget Blinds or Automated Shade (you need shades and side... shield things to fully block out light - curtains always leave gaps above and to the sides).

−3

analmartyr t1_j61ct4h wrote

I have had this happen twice with different signs as I live behind a shopping center.

I don’t know if there is some kind of burn in time before they seem dimmer or if I just got used to them, but after a month or so it wasn’t bad anymore.

4

tonyzak36 t1_j61dbd0 wrote

There should be a shroud on the lights to keep horizontal light pollution to a minimum. No need to light up the sky, should be reflected downwards…. Should be an easy fix for them if they feel like being a good neighbor….

5

JAK3CAL t1_j61e4ql wrote

  1. Blackout curtains 2. Towns usually have very specific ordinances or building codes that dictate the orientation of the light angles. Find the city ordinances and check out lighting
10

weaselpoopcoffee1 t1_j61fjsn wrote

Rent a large search light and aim it at the parking lot when they have their meetings. Do this for every single meeting until they relent and compromise.

3

Individual-Daikon175 t1_j61fm5w wrote

Have you already tried walking over and talking to someone at the building? If the lights are new, they might not be aware of the offending light pollution. In my experience, most people want to be good neighbors. You might even get a faster resolution going direct instead of trying to get the city involved.

55

tzeriel t1_j61gvcg wrote

Make friends with an electrician. Would take me like 2s to disconnect it.

0

Hayk t1_j61k3ir wrote

Replying to analmartyr (#1,518,256)

I think this may be right. Last year the building switched out the lights in my office and it was like the Kenny Rodgers Roasters Seinfeld episode; totally blinding. Now it’s perfectly fine. I think I’d feel differently if it was behind my house though.

10

ThatKaylesGuy t1_j61u84q wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#1,517,098)

They can't, they'll have a nuisance lawsuit. Anything another property owner does that inhibits your enjoyment of your property (insanely bad smells, blinding lights, constant machinery running) makes them liable. If 311 doesn't help, that might be the next course of action.

2

super_scoot t1_j61xuzv wrote

teachers are whats ruining this country

−12

Low-Ear-2171 t1_j620u95 wrote

Replying to twistedscrew (#1,520,154)

Wow. That's interesting. I wonder if that only applies to the city, like would that extend to surrounding areas/suburbs? My Boro installed offensive LED street lights that light up the inside of my house at night! I can no longer have darkness while I try to sleep in my own house. They were very proud of themselves for installing these "energy saving lights that will deter crime". Meanwhile I worry that not having darkness in my house to sleep will have an affect on my and my family's health.

−2

4000Tacos t1_j622z34 wrote

Replying to Low-Ear-2171 (#1,521,326)

General rule of thumb… if you don’t vote for the Pittsburgh Mayor… the Pittsburgh ordinance will not apply to you. You would need to contact your boro or township.

You could express your concerns to your neighbor instead of immediately reporting them to the boro or township.

12

Low-Ear-2171 t1_j627nbj wrote

Replying to 4000Tacos (#1,521,586)

Right, thank you. That's what I thought regarding the jurisdiction part of it. And just for reference it's not a neighbor in my case, it's the actual street lights that the Boro installed. But thanks for the input.

1

InevitablePersimmon6 t1_j62f7qw wrote

I’d download the MyBurgh app and file a 311 report. You can attach photos so you can show them just how awful it is.

3

iSoReddit t1_j635fmd wrote

Have you tried walking over there and talking to them?

−3

da_london_09 t1_j63gf6n wrote

I've tried the same thing with the apt building across from our house. They were installed by Mozart about 2 years after we bought our house and they shine all the way up to our third floor. The city has done nothing..

2

Jekerdud t1_j64ufja wrote

Replying to Low-Ear-2171 (#1,522,133)

Most municipalities have ordinances posted on public websites, so if you can find the specific statute, you can cite it to them when requesting them to remove or re aim the light. For city owned lights (anywhere), they'll usually remove it or move it to a different pole.

1

Moogottrrgr t1_j658bbf wrote

Replying to twistedscrew (#1,520,154)

So, good news and bad news. In the code under "Residential Compatibility Standards," it says this:

916.07 - Lighting
All lights used by development that is subject to
Residential Compatibility Standards shall be arranged and controlled so as to
deflect light away from any lot that is zoned RSD, RSA, RT, RM, or H. Any light
or combination of lights that casts light on a public street shall not exceed
one (1) foot-candle (meter reading) as measured from the centerline of such
street. Any light or combination of lights that cast light on a lot zoned R1D,
R1A, R2, R3, RM, or H shall not exceed 0.4 foot-candles (meter reading), as
measured no more than three (3) feet inside the lot line of a lot that is zoned
R1D, R1A, R2, R3, RM, or H.

That's the good news. They are not allowed to do that at all. The bad news is, its a PITA to get PLI to enforce RCS. Start with 311, though.

4

Sweaty_Motor2790 t1_j669lwi wrote

Replying to Powerful-Tonight8648 (#1,518,336)

We had as similar issue. We went through 311 but in the end the City said that they couldn't verify the violation because they don't work past normal business hours. Go figure. We even provided photos and cited the specific ordinances.

Going to our councilperson was the way that we actually got some resolution.

2