Shannamara Forums

steelers

Hello,
Good job on this web. My question or comment about lighting:

My family likes to walk in the evenings. Some times I am not home from work until after the sun has gone down so we are walking in the dark. A few of the streets we walk on in Shannamara are very dark. Not only are there no street lights or gas lamps, but there are sometimes up 5 to 10 homes in a row with not a single light burning - not a porch light, garage light, or anything. It is pitch dark on some stretches of our streets.

Why on such nice homes would these homeowners choose not to have some security or landscape lighting? Even the inexpensive low voltage lighting that shines up on the brick provides some ambient light and security.

We are new to the area and have just been a little surprised how some homeowners feel comfortable with not burning a single exterior bulb around their home and cars at night. Those streets where everyone participates with landscape/security lighting or gas lamps, are the safest and prettiest streets in the neighborhood.

Just wondering if there are any guidelines we are supposed to follow regarding lighting or is there any plan to add street lights or more mailbox lamps to some of the darkest streets? Thank You.

the4halls · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:09 am Post subject:

I agree. There are some families that choose to keep their houses in total darkness. However, although it looks bad and is unsafe, it is not against the HOA rules as far as I can tell. Unfortunately, I don't believe there is anything that can be done.

Have you contacted the HOA about it to see if there are any street lighting updated planed?
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J.Hall

hoola · Neighbor Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

I was totally unaware that not lighting my house up at night looked bad. It is dark you know?

Not lighting up your house at night is no more unsafe than running a STOP sign and that is done on a second by second basis here.

So if you walk at night, be very aware of everyone who runs those signs. No light will help you there.

hoola

the4halls · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:29 am Post subject:

Hoola,

It's hard to tell when someone is being sarcastic in written form, but I am pretty that is your intent and all in fun. In any case, I agree with you that running a stop sign is indeed dangerous. I am amazed that people run them in this neighborhood, and speed the way they do.

This discussion, however, is about lighting not traffic control. Still, to tie into your stop sign point, if there was better lighting in our neighborhood, the chances of a car seeing a pedestrian in time to stop from hitting them would perhaps be much better.

I agree with Steelers main point, I wish more people would light their homes appropriately for safety reasons and aesthetics. I am also sure which houses will get broken into if a thief/rapist/etc has to choose, and it probably won't be mine as I have installed adequate lighting on all sides of my home. A small number of other homes on my street are completely dark making them a prime target. Let's all hope that no one in our area will have to suffer through any crime like that, but some family here likely will.

Good luck to us all.
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J.Hall

Shanweb · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 8:03 am Post subject:

You all make good points. I am sure you know that good communication among neighbors can go a long way. You can talk about speeding, lighting, or whatever. We all should make a point to speak with other Shannamara residents when we have the chance and get these issues out in the open.
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the4halls · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject: update

Just wanted to bump this older thread about lighting. We are in the process of collecting the signatures in our village for new lights provided by the Town of Stallings. Everyone should be happy now... this will improve security and safety, and will look great too. I will be getting a lamp post on my property and don't mind a bit. Smile

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J.Hall

TimandSherri · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:36 pm Post subject:

We're getting lights too! I am very happy about this upgrade and I know we are all safer with the new lights.

TimandSherri · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:26 am Post subject:

Just an update... we are getting lights on our street this week. Smile

lifestudent · Senior Member Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 11

Glad to hear you are getting lights.

As someone who is new to Shannamara (moved in in June), I am interested in the process.

I have noticed that on my street (Abergele), there are a couple houses that have the lights on their mail boxes and a couple that have the taller, free standing lights.

If I wanted a light on my mail box, how would I go about it?

Thanks for any advice.
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Amanda C

Shanweb · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Lights

lifestudent · Senior Member Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 11

Thanks, I will do
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Amanda C

lifestudent · Senior Member Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 11

Hello again,

I have been told by the HOA that I live in a "non-lantern community" and cannot install a mailbox lamp, though I can install a free-standing one.

I was re-reading the notes above and am interesting in what was done to get the city of Stallings to install lights, what they look like, is there a cost, etc.

Thanks for your input.
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Amanda C

TimandSherri · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:04 am Post subject:

I believe most of the lights are to be installed in the next few weeks. There is no assessment or cost to us. The text below is from the Shannamara newsletter. If you look around the neighborhood you will see the little wooden stakes in the ground right in front of some of the power boxes to mark where the lights are going.

------------------------------------

The Lights are still coming – just with some delays
Kurt Pearson

At their June Council meeting, the Town of Stallings
approved the installation of street lights in the Mecklenburg
County section in the Villages Wicklow and Dunraven. The
location of the lights will be roughly every 300 feet and at the
locations discussed with the residents of adjoining lots. We
expect the installation to be completed by the end of
September. Union Power will be in the neighborhood
throughout the coming weeks to mark the locations, identify
any underground wiring / cabling and start the installations.
The timing works out great with daylight savings time and as
we change our clocks back and it gets darker earlier, we will
now have lights to add to the safety and visibility of our
walkers and riders.
Again, apologies for the delay in getting the lights installed,
but wanted to let you all know this has been approved and is
moving forward

lifestudent · Senior Member Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 11

Thanks for the update.

Actually, I live in Wicklow on Abergele Lane. My property is mostly in Meck county and I pay Meck County taxes.... so are there lights going up on my street?

I will look for the stakes!
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Amanda C

TimandSherri · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:04 am Post subject:

I'm sorry I have no idea about Wicklow. Looking for the stakes would tell you right away as they have already started marking the ground for underground wiring to avoid when they dig.

You can also contact the ShanACC email to ask them who is the lighting person for Wicklow. There is one person in each village that is responsible for this project. Hope that helps you.