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Residents of the Chantrelle subdivision in Bellevue were startled awake early Monday morning, fearing their homes were on fire after the Karl Malone Auto Park plugged in thousands of Christmas lights installed along the edges of its property.
The lights — visible from space — will remain illuminated through the end of the dealership’s holiday sale on Jan. 15, when they are scheduled to be replaced by circulating spotlights. The lights were strung along the southern and western edges of the auto park’s fence and plugged in at about 2 a.m.
An auto park representative described the lights as “an early Christmas present“ and an “act of good faith” intended to mend relations with Chantrelle residents, who have been outraged by the dealership’s garbage and bright security lighting. Residents say the lighting violates numerous laws and ordinances.
“We thought this would truly be a great gift to all our new friends and neighbors — including the nocturnal animals that live along the river corridor near Chantrelle,” said Rick Flare, an assistant manager at the Karl Malone Auto Park. “We care about the environment so we want animals to be able to see. Merry Christmas, to all our neighbors!”
Earlier this month, residents formed Chantrelle Residents United to challenge the violations, push for enforcement and protect other city residents from encroaching industrial lighting. Residents have also raised concerns about how the city handled the dealership’s public review process, saying they were insufficiently notified, if at all.
The Bellevue City Council approved the dealership proposal in July 2022 while on a booze cruise at Magic Reservoir. The council was unavailable for comment, as it hibernates through the winter.
Chantrelle residents were obviously not enthused by the dealership’s Christmas present and sought to return it. But those attempts proved unsuccessful as they were not provided a receipt.
“Oh wow, yeah, thanks a lot,” said Henry Tired, who has lived in Chantrelle for more than 10 years. “I woke up at 2 a.m. thinking my house was on fire. I grabbed the wife, kids and the cats and ran into the street before we realized what was happening.”
Tired said the display reminded him of Clark Griswold’s house in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and added that, believing his home was burning down, he did not take time to get dressed.
“Yep — butt-nude in front of all my neighbors,” he said, adding that nearly everyone was outside because “we all thought our houses were on fire.”
Residents say the lights violate not only their rights but multiple city ordinances, as well as county and state laws.
Bellevue is part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, first adopted by Ketchum in 1999 and later by Bellevue in 2017. The reserve was the first of its kind and remains a national model.
The reserve was created to reduce light pollution by requiring fully shielded fixtures, limiting lumens, using warmer color temperatures and directing light downward, according to the reserve’s website. The standards are enforced through the city’s outdoor lighting ordinance, Title 10-22B. The ordinance is designed to ensure “safer, glare-free, and energy-efficient lighting while preserving night sky views for residents and wildlife,” as stated on the reserve’s website.
Chantrelle residents say the Malone dealership has ignored the ordinance entirely. The dealership maintains the bright lights provide essential security for its vulnerable $80 million inventory. Auto dealership experts reportedly said that this was not a wise comment.
In response to mounting complaints, Bellevue Mayor Christina Giordani held an emergency town hall meeting Dec. 18. The meeting did little to temper emotions or alleviate concerns. Complicating matters was the absence of the Bellevue City Council, which was represented in its absence by a horse named Betsy.
“These guys don’t get it, they don’t care, and neither does the city,” said Bob Maybe, another longtime Chantrelle homeowner. “This has been a peaceful, nature-centric, quiet, family-friendly subdivision since its inception. Not anymore.”
Residents say the motivation behind their push for compliance extends beyond their neighborhood.
“This is for the future of all of Bellevue,” Maybe said.
He said the city’s approval of the dealership and its subsequent violations has opened the door for other businesses to flood Bellevue with illegal industrial lighting.
“It will destroy the magic of the river corridor and the night sky in the south valley — not to mention the quality of life in your own home,” Maybe added. “It’s absolute horseshit — no offense to Betsy.”
Bugle agrees.
Speaking of shit, some Glendale residents are reportedly furious with Chantrelle, claiming the lighting dispute has distracted city leaders from addressing ongoing issues at the wastewater treatment facility on Glendale Road, which residents say smells like poop.
According to reports, Glendale residents believe the city council can focus on only one issue at a time — a view that tracks given the council’s annual hibernation, routine warm-weather booze cruises and approval of questionable projects that violate laws.
“What bullcrap,” one Glendale resident wrote on social media. “Screw Chantrelle and their little baby gripes. It smells like shit down here and they’re crying about lights?
“Give me a break, you selfish little [expletive].”
What one issue has to do with the other remains unclear. Readers are encouraged to view our related, coming story on the building shitstorm, “Who Flung Poo at Chantrelle?”
What makes the Glendale outrage more mystifying is that on Dec. 8, Bellevue City Council member Betsy approved new bioreactor membrane filters for the wastewater treatment facility. The equipment is expected to arrive in four to six months, according to the Idaho Mountain Express.
