Fannin County delays vote on Environmental and Habitat ordinance after public concerns over lighting, noise and enforcement

Fannin County commissioners on an unspecified meeting date heard a second public hearing and then voted to table the proposed Environmental and Habitat ordinance until their next regular meeting.

The proposed ordinance, as read to the board during the hearing, would be titled the Environmental and Habitat Ordinance and “is the intent of this ordinance that residential and commercial lighting does not disturb the neighboring properties and further does not disturb or disorient native animals, migrating birds, and insects,” said Miss Woody, a county staff member presenting revisions. The draft also sets limits on exterior lighting, recommends warm-color bulbs with downward shielding and would require most outdoor lights to be extinguished between midnight and sunrise.

Why it matters: supporters said the measure aims to protect wildlife and preserve nighttime character; commenters and commissioners raised questions about enforceability, how noise would be regulated and several exemptions—particularly for emergency and security lighting.

During public comment and discussion, multiple speakers urged clearer numeric standards for noise and for fireworks restrictions. One commenter proposed a daytime decibel limit of about 65 decibels at the property line and 60 decibels at night. The draft also contains a provision that the ignition of consumer fireworks is “expressly prohibited within 200 yards of a facility housing equine in a confined area unless its use has been authorized and approved by a special event permit issued by the Fannin County probate judge,” language read by the presenter.

Speakers also pressed the board on enforcement. The draft names the Fannin County code enforcement officer as the enforcing official; a meeting participant asked whether deputies from the sheriff’s office would also be able to enforce the ordinance in practical terms, particularly on weekends or at rental properties. A commissioner noted concerns about sending a code enforcement officer alone to a rental property with intoxicated occupants and said deputies might need the tool for safety and access.

After discussion, a motion to table consideration of the ordinance until the board’s next regular meeting was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. No final adoption or numeric limits were set at this meeting.

The board’s tabling keeps the ordinance in draft form for further revision and for retyping of the measure with the changes discussed at the hearing. Commissioners said they expect to revisit a revised draft at the next meeting.