What can I do?

Currently, Dawson County does not have a lighting ordinance. Instead, Dawson County Commission and Dawson County Planning rely on the Dawson County GA 400 Corridor Development Guidelines document to define what is acceptable for lighting. The guidelines document is quite large and can be found at the Dawson County Government site. This guidelines document was adopted in December, 2000 and covers areas such as lighting, architectural style and parking entrances.

The guidelines clearly spell out the lighting restrictions.  The problem, however, is that business are not complying with them. There are several examples of businesses that were built after the guidelines were adopted, yet they are not following what is stated for lighting. Specifically Ruby Tuesday's, Palm Harbor Homes, Remax Shopping Center and, most recently, Mountain State Bank. Investigate these businesses through the links provided to see the problems. This site's primary concern is lighting, but we can't help but wonder what other areas of the guidelines are being ignored by new business.

Numerous complaints were made about these businesses, yet nothing has been done to force the businesses to come into compliance. The only thing that can be interpreted from the lack of changes to these business' lighting practice is that the guidelines document does not have sufficient authority to force the businesses to comply. The guidelines document does not set forth any penalties for businesses not in compliance. As such, there is no compelling reason for a business to follow the document.

The Dawson County residents spent tax money to develop the guidelines. We need to make sure that businesses comply with what citizens thought was best for the county. To have businesses ignore the wishes of the citizens is quite arrogant.

Citizens of North Georgia need to act now to save our night skies!!

Here is the solution!

Our goal with this site is to point out the lighting problems and get community support for the following proposals:

• We need to adopt a a lighting ordinance for the entire county.  An ordinance will not shut off lighting. Instead, it will identify what types of lighting fixtures that are allowed in commercial and high density residential areas, specifically only full-cutoff fixtures are allowed. Light pollution is manageable if full-cutoff light fixtures are used. Full-cutoff fixtures are only slightly more expensive that the non-cutoff varieties, but they make up for the diffence by being more energy efficient.  This ordinance will spell out clear penalties for violators.
• Modify the Sign Ordinance to make ALL lighted signs put the lighting fixtures at the TOP of the sign and shine the light down. Currently, sign companies put light fixtures at the bottom of the sign and point them up towards the sky. It is estimated that only 30% of the light actually strikes the sign and the rest goes up into the sky creating sky glow.

How do we do it?

First, contact the Commissioners and tell them that you support a Lighting Ordinance for the county and the the Sign Ordinance modification. You can email Dawson Commissioners or contact them through phone numbers listed on the Contacts page.

Second, sign the Guestbook for this site.  Let your thoughts be known.

Finally, tell your Dawson County friends about this site, www.NorthGeorgiaSkies.org.  Public awareness and a grassroots effort can make a difference.

Please help!

If we don't act soon, it will be too late!