By Brent Ruffner
independent Newsmedia
Cave Creek doesn’t want to go dark — to a DarkSky International designation that is.
The Cave Creek Town Council voted on Monday against going through an application process to designate the town a DarkSky International community such as Arizona spots like Flagstaff, Sedona and nearby Fountain Hills.
Residents who showed up to the meeting debated whether or not having the moniker was a positive one. Those in attendance stayed until the final council vote — after about three hours and 15 minutes — to hear the outcome. Immediately after the vote, the room — which holds 177 people — all but emptied.
Councilors voted against the designation 5-2.
The DarkSky organization says it aims to “protect the night sky using education, advocacy, retrofits” and community science, its website stated.
Mayor Bob Morris said the idea got brought up by advocates of dark skies after the designation got shot down by the council in the recent past.
Town Planner Steven Perales presented the benefits of the DarkSky International designation to the full council on Monday night.
Some residents and councilors alike in favor of the designation argued it would help preserve dark skies in and around town.
“We are already dark sky compliant,” said Councilor Dusty Rhoades, who voted for the measure. “Not becoming a dark sky town makes no sense. There is recognition that comes with it.”
One resident — against the dark skies measure — said animals like horses need light at night time. Cave Creek resident Steve Mosshart said he was against the measure.
“Who does it benefit?” he said.
More than 10 residents had signs that read “No DSI” on Monday night,
Some state officials are in favor of dark sky communities.
“In my view, it gives a town another reason to promote itself and another reason for people to visit the town,” said Josh Coddington, a spokesman for the Arizona Office of Tourism.
Both the town ordinances and the geography of where a town is situated can help it maintain dark skies, Coddington said.
For instance, Fountain Hills has the Mcdowell Mountain Range to help block the light, Coddington said.
Still, others say skies are already dark in the immediate area. Councilor Joe Freedman doesn’t agree with supporters and said the town doesn’t have enough enforcement to have the designation.
“The fact that we already have strict lighting ordinances, there is no need for an outside organization to come into Cave Creek and be involved with our lighting ordinances in any shape or form,” he said.
