Target Sign Turns Capitola Neighborhood into 'Red Light District'

Much of the county north of Watsonville was excited to . Count the residents of Sommerfeld Avenue out of that celebratory bunch. 

Sommerfeld Avenue is parallel to Clares Street and perpendicular to Capitola Road. All that separates the backyards of the houses on Sommerfeld from Target is the two-way traffic of Clares.

According to two Sommerfeld residents that spoke at the Capitola City Council Meeting Thursday evening, those two lanes of traffic aren't nearly enough to keep the bright red light of the Target sign from illuminating their homes.

"The side of our house lights up bright red," one Sommerfeld neighbor said during the public comment segment of the meeting. 

He said he asked Target to dim the light, but so far, nothing has changed. 

Another resident of the street, who has lived there with his wife for ten years, reported the same problem.

"Some of our neighbors have bright red lights shining into their kids rooms at night," he said.

The Sommerfeld folks said they understand the business needs to brand itself, but asked that the council advocate on their behalf to get the sign lowered 10 to 12 feet so it can no longer shine above the fence line.

"We're not the red light district," one resident said.

In addition to the scarlet illumination, Sommerfeld residents are also suffering from noise pollution produced in the back lot at Target. According to the residents at the meeting, deliveries start as early as 3 a.m., and the decibel levels remain high until 11 p.m.

Expect to see further conversation from residents and the council at a future meeting. 

How should Target and the residents of Sommerfeld Avenue solve this problem? Tell us in the comments!

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