UCI Keeps Residents in the Dark About Lights

Re “Neighbors See Nothing Light in UCI Plans,” Dec. 17.

Your story represented both sides of the story fine, yet I think it fell short of addressing the real issue for Turtle Rock residents.

UC Irvine has not documented the height of the playing field lights in the last environmental impact report or any other printed document shared with the residents. This is unacceptable. EIRs must take into account the effects on views, neighborhoods and the environment. When we ask the university for documents that make reference to the 102-foot lights, they ignore our requests.

Those lights affect our daytime and nighttime views, thus our home values. UC Irvine states in the article that concerns from residents based on “light and glare” are pure “spin.” Our concerns were and continue to be views and negative effects on home values, light and glare being a subset of those.

UC Irvine officials say they try to communicate effectively and admit they could do a better job. Well, that is not good enough. They need to tell us in writing their plans and then after public comment and perhaps negotiation, need to abide by their word.

Because UC Irvine is accountable only to the Board of Regents, it can get away with being a bad neighbor. Those lights would not be 102 feet high if it were accountable to the city.

Rich Luttrell Irvine