« Brooklyn Vegan Wins a Proggy from PETA Development Watch: 251 Flatbush Extension »

January 9, 2007

In the City of Blinding Lights

lights
bedroom
Given how little sleep we get between the kids and the double life, we're particularly sympathetic to our latest reader submission. Last Thursday, according to this gentleman, the management company at 111 15th Street (which he believes is called Pinnacle) put up flood lights to illuminate the area in front of the four-story building. "Perhaps the Port Authority contracted them to ensure these lights double as navigational aids to La Guardia-bound planes, because these lights are ridiculously bright ‒ and aimed directly into my bedroom window," he grouses. "I can literally read by them, even with the blinds closed." So he's wondering what he can do. Are there any laws or building codes governing this kind of thing? Is 311 an option or should he try just asking nicely? GMAP




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:22 AM | Comments (21)
Categories: Quality of Life

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.brownstoner.com/mte/mt-tb.cgi/284

Comments

BB gun? Seriously, this is horrible. Black out curtains perhaps.

Posted by: Dr. Blowyourmind at January 9, 2007 10:13 AM

Our street lamp is directly in front of our building and its illumination reminds me of the lights at Yankee Stadium. Ditch the blinds and get some shades.

Posted by: North Sleeper at January 9, 2007 10:25 AM

I have to say I experienced this about three years ago, and resorted to physically "de-functioning" the lights a couple of times. They drove me to the point of craziness.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 9, 2007 10:28 AM

Our landlord just built a condo building next door and put up floodlights in the back of the building where the parking lot is. I don't see them but they completely light up the houses backing up to us so it's gotta be driving our neighbors nuts.

I'd call 311 regardless of whether you know they can do anything and at least ask them.

Posted by: cobblestoner at January 9, 2007 10:37 AM

Our landlord just built a condo building next door and put up floodlights in the back of the building where the parking lot is. I don't see them but they completely light up the houses backing up to us so it's gotta be driving our neighbors nuts.

I'd call 311 regardless of whether you know they can do anything and at least ask them.

Posted by: cobblestoner at January 9, 2007 10:41 AM

That is totally Pinnacle's style -- check out this article:http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0621,lombardi,73299,5.html

To be fair, most of the properties they take over have serious problems, and the lighting does tend to keep criminal activity at bay. What was the building like before Pinnacle took over?

Posted by: babs at January 9, 2007 10:42 AM

nice U2 references as titles to last two posts about the lights and the floor...

Posted by: lp at January 9, 2007 10:51 AM

kind of reminds me of the seinfeld episode when a kenny rogers restaurant moved in across the street from kramer's apartment and the neon shone in on him causing all kinds of bizarre reactions.

Posted by: anon at January 9, 2007 10:54 AM

I'd start by calling 311.
But maybe contacting COmm. Bd. or councilpersons office would be more helpful in finding if violation of bldg code or DEP (under light pollution).

Posted by: Anonymous at January 9, 2007 11:34 AM

As Bono always says, this is the original "city of blinding lights". Last tour he also said NYC was the definition of "coexist" - which to me means, he is not reading Brownstoner as carefully as he should. 'Stoner, have you sent him a note? Maybe he will forgo his $14 million triplex in the San Remo for a renovation project in Brooklyn?

Posted by: Anonymous at January 9, 2007 12:23 PM

Time for BB gun practice, if you ask me.

Posted by: Criminal Minded at January 9, 2007 1:19 PM

Criminal Minded, given the nature of the problem, I'm thinking more of a "By All Means Necessary" approach is appropriate.

Posted by: DC at January 9, 2007 2:56 PM

Try asking nicely first. Our neighbor lit up our backyard with his newly installed lights without shades on his parlor floor extension (I posted previously on the forum here). After agonizing, finally I wrote him a nice note and he responded by turning them off and leaving them off. He also promised to paint the glass partly black and use lower wattage bulbs.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 9, 2007 3:00 PM

There was an article in the City section of the Times on a woman whose been crusading to darken NYC for some twenty years. Its unfortunate, but there is no recourse thru the usual channels. The article had some interesting antidotes about how other cities have long been thinking about illumination; it downsides specifically. I can't seem to track the link but it appeared within the last 3mos. She gives a fascinating tour of some of the best and worst lighting in Manhattan, something I'm sure most of us think little about until it lights up our bedroom.

Posted by: Dave at January 9, 2007 3:03 PM

Maybe he needs spots, instead of floods, that are aimed lower. They should be hitting the walk in front of his building, not the windows across the street.

Posted by: anon at January 9, 2007 5:05 PM

I'm inclined to agree with the anonymous poster a few lines up. Ask nicely. Especially if the landlord an actual person and not a corporate entity, you may be pleasantly surprised.

If that doesn't work, though, it's pretty much a choice between blackout curtains or a Louisville Slugger. The latter is probably more fun but could get you arrested, and isn't recommended.

Posted by: Christopher at January 9, 2007 5:22 PM

The simple solution would be to get blinds that are light blocking. There is a difference. Some are designed to let in daylight, even when shut. Granted the light may be bright, but you'll be thankful when you're walking home at 2am, and the street is nicely well lit.

Posted by: Rune at January 9, 2007 6:43 PM

a bldg across from me did the same. Got black, thick curtains from IKEA.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 9, 2007 6:47 PM

take photos and video, call 311 but most importantly, call a lawyer. probably the only way.

you have rights - don't need to put up with that. it cannot be legal.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 9, 2007 9:53 PM

Yeah, SoCal road rages shootings. Real laid back. How about another stupid generalization.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 10, 2007 9:45 AM

bb gun... iv dun it.. and alarms too. took a bat to em. cars and such. if the owners tha rude, git it. hes livin on li wit deer.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 11, 2007 10:09 PM

Post a comment

Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.

Latest Restaurant Additions