Some neighbors of the new Family Dollar in Dolores have expressed concerns that the store’s lighting is too bright at night.

“There are several residents that are very unhappy with the light pollution,” said store neighbor Melissa Watters, in an email to The Journal.

The store’s entrance is located at 1029 Railroad Ave. (Colorado 145). But the back side of the building faces Central Avenue across from a row of homes.

To reduce glare for neighbors, the town required that the sign on the building’s back side be illuminated with down-facing lights on the outside instead of lighted internally.

In addition, during the permit process the town urged the store to turn off the lights after closing, according to town manager Lana Hancock.

“We had a couple of complaints and worked with the store to fix the problem,” she said.

Apparently, after the store opened last week a timer had not been set to turn off the outdoor lights shortly after the 9 p.m. closing time. But the problem has since been corrected, Hancock said.

Bryn Winburn, public and media relations manager for Family Dollar, told The Journal that it is common procedure for stores near residential areas to shut off outdoor lighting after closing.

According to the Dolores Land Use Code, “The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable to people in surrounding areas.”

jmimiaga@the-journal.com