Residents call for limits on bright LED lighting; council to refer luminosity review to committee

Residents told the Livonia City Council during the Jan. study session that recent LED retrofits and high-intensity outdoor lighting along corridors such as Plymouth Road are creating glare, safety risks and quality-of-life problems.

"It's like Chernobyl," said Eric Fitzpatrick (Rosedale Gardens), describing light reflecting across the sky and causing discomfort for older residents: "My poor retinas." He recommended the council consider updating the outdoor lighting policy to address excessive lumen levels and aiming/photometrics of fixtures.

Steve King (Coventry Gardens) also raised lighting as part of a broader comment on municipal purchases and contracting. Councilmember McCullough responded by asking that the subject of exterior lighting luminosity be placed on the law and education committee agenda so staff and councilors can review photometric plans, retrofit practices and potential liabilities from glare that could blind drivers.

Council framed the request as a referral to committee rather than a vote; no ordinance was introduced at the study session. Council members noted prior enforcement in specific cases and said staff can examine engineering plans, photometrics and possible ordinance language before returning to council.

Next steps: the council president and staff will add the item to the committee agenda for further review; no immediate regulatory change or vote was taken at the study session.