An example of good lighting methods. Courtesy photo

The lights will be dimmed along the rapidly growing Interstate 10 corridor between Loop 1604 and Fair Oaks Ranch under a measure tentatively approved on July 9 by Bexar County Commissioners.

A public hearing will be held before the final vote Tuesday on an agreement that will require only so-called “dark sky” lighting be installed to illuminate the exterior of homes and businesses constructed within three miles of Camp Bullis.

An example of marginal lighting methods.

“The order does not specify it, but we are trying to get the awareness out there, and are trying to get people to volunteer,” she said.

The ordinance follows a letter from Maj. Gen. Russell Czerw, commanding general of Fort Sam Houston, requesting that outdoor lighting be regulated. Officials at Camp Bullis have been expressing concerns for months that growth along the Interstate 10 corridor is making it far more difficult to conduct critical night vision training for Army medics at the post.

The night lighting limits would be in effect from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., and would also cover billboards and lighted outdoor signs. Green said even lighting that appears dim to normal viewers can cause serious problems for trainees at Camp Bullis.

An example of bad lighting methods of Ralph Fair Road.

The county’s order covers only lighting in the county, but Commissioner Lyle Larson, who represents the North Side, said he expects District 8 San Antonio City Councilwoman Diane Cibrian to sponsor a similar measure in the city.

“She has been very supportive and has been a true leader throughout this entire process,” Larson said.

“The other major contributor is Comal County,” Green said. “I have talked with their county engineer, and he fully intends to move forward with the same order. In fact, he has asked us for a copy of our order.”

She said Kendall County would not be affected because none of Camp Bullis is in Kendall County.

Another example of good lighting methods.

Larson said he plans to convene a meeting of leaders of all of the neighborhood associations within three miles of Camp Bullis, in San Antonio, Bexar County, and Fair Oaks Ranch to emphasize the importance of working with the Army to make sure the needs of the military are met.

“We’re going to ask them, simply, “do you want to help Camp Bullis out?‘” he said. “Then shut your lights off. That’s something they can do on an individual basis, to shut all their lights off at night, I think that would help a great deal. And then get The Rim and a lot of these commercial developments to do the same thing. It’s a very simple solution.”