By Brandon HENSLEY

The proposed installation of 14 streetlights on La Crescenta Avenue dominated the most recent Crescenta Valley Town Council meeting on July 21. Though attendance was sparse, there were several people on council and in the audience who took sides on the matter.

A meeting on Aug. 23 at the L.A. County Planning Dept. will decide whether the intersections of Los Olivos and Fairmount avenues on La Crescenta Avenue will have streetlights installed, said James Chon of L.A. County Publics Works.

Chon said the petition to have lights put in received more than the needed 60% of signatures. The lights would cover 28 parcels, and include 14 lights on 13 existing wood poles and with one new wood pole being installed.

“If there’s no majority protest at the hearing, we will proceed with the installation of the lights and the annexations of the area into a lighting district,” Chon said.

There was a previous public meeting about the lights in November 2014. A board hearing was scheduled for June 26 of this year, but was canceled in favor of more discussion.

A few people spoke in favor at the town council meeting, while a few disagreed with the idea. One woman who lives in the area said she would feel safer with lights.

“When I have guests come in the evening, I have to get a flashlight out. It’s so dark, they can’t see the sidewalk,” she said. “I can’t walk at night. It’s just not safe.”

One of the issues for people who are not in the proposed lighting district is they say lights take away from the rural aspect of La Crescenta. Those sentiments were echoed by community member Steve Pierce and councilmember Harry Leon.

Ines Chessum, a Land Use Committee member, said the discrepancy in the aesthetic look of the town would be too much if lights are implemented at certain areas and not others. Supporters of the lights said they simply want to see what is happening on their streets and they would feel safer. One women against the lights suggested that sensory lights on houses could solve those problems.

“What it does is start to destroy the continuity of our community,” Pierce said last week. “So many people here are here because it’s a rural area. You go out at nighttime, you see the stars, you see the moon. You wake up in the morning and you don’t see lights shining in your face.”

Chon said if lights on La Crescenta Avenue are installed it would take six to eight months for the process to be completed. There would be an annual $5 assessment charge to the residents in that district.

Streetlights for a certain area can be obtained by requesting them from the Dept. of Public Works. A petition is required for three or more streetlights, and a majority protest proceeding is not required. More information can be found by calling (626) 300-4726 or visiting dpw.lacounty.gov/tnl/streetlights.

Also on the town council agenda was an invitation by the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station to the community to National Night Out on Aug. 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the sheriff’s station, 4554 Briggs Ave. There will be handouts for the adults and goodies for the kids. Also included will be barbecued hot dogs, water and chips for everyone.

American Legion Post 288 and VFW Post 1614 present the fifth annual Community Bingo Night on Aug. 19 at Healy Hall at Holy Redeemer Church, 2361 Del Mar Road, Montrose. Proceeds benefit veterans in the community. Admission is $10 with 20 chances to win $100. Food and check-in starts at 6 p.m. The first game starts at 7 p.m.

The next CVTC meeting is scheduled for Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library community room, 2809 Foothill Blvd.

  Brandon Hensley