Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs received full credit on the bonus section. This was partially because of their International Dark Sky Community designation (IDA). In Dripping Springs, the movement towards adopting a lighting ordinance was citizen-led beginning in 2000. A Dripping Springs resident, John Gregory, “who had been the chief engineer of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory and owned an optical and telescope equipment consulting, design, and fabricating firm”47 introduced the idea to the community.

Since 2000, the community has fully supported the Dark Sky Community designation and the ordinances it includes. Dripping Springs was the 6th city in the world to become an IDA, and the 1st in Texas. Being a Dark Sky Community has helped the City of Dripping Springs maintain their scenic beauty and rural charm. The city is also supportive of the scientific studies on the health and safety risks of certain lighting devices. Many residents participate in star gazing. The lighting ordinances are adapted every few years to maintain the most up-to-date lighting standards that preserve the night sky and comply with the Dark Sky Community designation.

“An International Dark Sky Community (IDSC) is town, city, municipality or other similar entity that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of quality lighting policies, dark-sky education, and citizen support of the ideal of dark skies.”48

Image 37. Graphic used by Dripping Springs to inform residents about light pollution. Source: (The City of Dripping Springs).

47 City of Dripping Springs 48 https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/communities/

The City of Dripping Springs has an established sense of place around the unified goal of preventing light pollution. Light pollution results in wasted light that performs no function or task, and light that illuminates areas it is not intended to. Because the lighting ordinance has been adapted frequently since 2000, it is extremely well written. The ordinance applies to both commercial and residential buildings. The implementation of lighting ordinances in the city has helped to:

• Improve safety and security • Save energy and money • Reduce harm to human health • Enhance property rights • Aesthetics • Reduce harm to wildlife and plants • Quality of life • Attract tourists46

The City of Dripping Springs has a population of 2,220 within the city limits. The ETJ has 35,000 residents. The lighting ordinance only applies to the city limits however, many of the ETJ residents voluntarily comply with the Dark Sky Community standards. This speaks to the lighting ordinance truly being a part of the sense of place. Public outreach has been critical to the success the city has had with the program. There are outreach efforts that include presentations to local organizations and HOAs, an organized event “Lights Out Dripping Springs for Bird Migratory Months”, star parties, “Be A Star” award, new resident welcome bags with information, communication with local lighting companies, and banners around the community. There is a noticeable difference when traveling through the area at night. More information on

becoming a Dark Sky Community can be found at: Image 38. Graphic used by Dripping Springs to inform residents about light trespass. Source: (The City of Dripping Springs).

www.idatexas.org

Image 39. Lighting information within the Dripping Springs Lighting Plan Submission Checklist. Source: (The City of Dripping Springs).