Hey Marie, I just saw your post and will quickly answer what I know - absolutely no - the buydebug lights do not cause any problems and is a great way to lighten dark places in and outside. At least I have never had any issues with any and most worlds I play have lots of them.
No lag is not generally created by the amount of content if your pc has the capability - that would be more an issue with older pcs with one or two processors that are slower to begin with and ram. I have 6 processors - fast ones - set factury at 3.2 mhz and they are the black edition so are fully overclockable - but I don't overclock - and I have 8 gigs of high speed gaming ram - but in my case it would take tons and tons of stuff and I would not get slowdowns. My sims have everything - the problem though comes if the stuff they have in their yard creates any routing problems then you will get lag. Especially if you have Pets installed it can be a big problem if strays get stuck by all your sims yard stuff. So if you have the ram and pc capable of handling the content, still keep the thought in mind that wild pets and neighbor pets might have a problem in your yard and other sims yards. And I think making community lots with these items a brillant Idea. I have a community college - an idea actually Happysimmer3 came up with eons ago and have rooms using the different item sims can use and skill with. Just remember to get them to take the finished work with them when they leave so they can sell or use the items.
I hope I have answered all your questions. If I missed any, just leave a note here. I really must go - my hubby and pets are glaring at me. hehehe
