Save Traverse City Dark Sky Protect our Community

Hello my name is Amelia Hasenohrl. I have been battling since 2019 to get the Immaculate Conception School in Traverse City to have their lights abide by the City Light Ordinance. The ordinance was written in 2017. The school was completed in 2019.

They have 14 “decorative lights” across the front of the school that are excessively bright, more than the street lights, which can be seen in the photo. These lights shine more than a block from the school and intrude into me and my neighborhoods homes, lighting up our bedrooms and living rooms. These lights are on all night long, all week, even when no one is at the school.

After 2 years of emails, phone calls, and meetings, the school refused to change the lights. I filed a lawsuit in September of 2021, to enforce the City Light ordinance. I had no idea how long or complicated this court case would be. The Judge found in my favor in October of 2022, and ordered the school to be in compliance.

However, the City planner then began to propose changes to the Light Ordinance that would raise the allowable, Unshielded lumens to 1125 lumens, more than double. Jerry Dobek, astrophysicist, NMC Prof. who contributed to the Traverse City ordinance and 50 other dark sky ordinances around the state of Michigan, stated that this change would “gut the Ordinance”. I rallied many Traverse City neighborhoods, citizens and outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy a dark sky view, star gazing, and a good nights sleep. At this point we have stopped the current proposed changes. However the struggle continues and the legal fees to get the lights into compliance continue to mount. The IC school continues to have their unshielded, lights above the 500 lumen level required by the ordinance. The IC school has filed to appeal the Judges decision.

Three judges of the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled to uphold the current ruling that the IC school is in violation of TC’s light ordinance. They were to comply with the judge’s ruling by June 24, 2024 and fully shield the lights from intrusion onto adjacent properties.

They did not. And they are currently in contempt of court. We continue.

I am asking for help with court costs and legal fees that have mounted to more than I, as an individual, could have imagined.

I feel this is more than a personal issue and bigger than Slabtown Neighborhood, bigger than the whole of Traverse City community. Changing the ordinance, and the school lights continued disturbance of the dark sky will ultimately spoil the Grand Traverse Bay Area. A dark night sky is a precious and irreplaceable gift. We must protect and preserve it for everyone.

I will be Grateful for any help, even a little.

Thank you for your support!

See Traverse City Record Eagle articles:

“Seeing The Light” Front page story -2A

December 18, 2022

“Immaculate Conception appeals order to Shield Lights” Front page story -2A

January 20, 2023