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Board discusses outdoor‑lighting ordinance placement and enforcement; asks staff to confer with town manager
Summary
Planners reviewed a draft outdoor‑lighting ordinance and debated whether to keep it in the zoning code or move it to the general town code; they asked staff to consult the town manager about enforcement responsibilities and penalties, and to return with options next month.
Planning staff presented a draft outdoor‑lighting ordinance Feb. 12 and asked the planning board whether the regulations should remain in the zoning code or be moved into the town’s general ordinances. The board discussed enforcement practicality, nighttime inspection resources and the need for objective, enforceable measurement criteria.
Planners recommended placing the language in the main body of the town code because the draft includes provisions covering existing conditions. Staff noted that zoning is generally forward‑looking and that enforcement often relies on the zoning official, but the office has limited capacity for nighttime inspections. The board discussed whether police or a dedicated code officer could perform evening checks; staff said they had not yet consulted the police department and recommended that planning speak with the town manager about enforcement arrangements and civil penalties.
Board members also discussed whether the zoning section’s current language should be deleted or cross‑referenced if the ordinance is moved. Staff suggested leaving the existing zoning section while the town considers where enforcement authority and civil penalty language should live. The board asked staff to return next month after conversations with the town manager and, if appropriate, with police, with a recommended enforcement approach and clean final draft for council review.
The board agreed to defer final placement and penalty language until staff completes consultations. Staff will put the item back on the March agenda with options for enforcement and an edited draft showing either relocation to the general code or retention in the zoning ordinance with clarified enforcement language.
