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Resident defends Livingston Holiday Lights display after complaint; council hears details about hours, crowd management
Summary
Greg Livingston told the Urbana City Council that his free Livingston Holiday Lights at 428 Lafayette has run since 2020, serves nursing homes and families, and that he has taken measures to limit traffic and noise after a complaint. He asked the council for guidance after being told by dispatchers that he had not violated any law.
Greg Livingston, who identified himself as the creator of the Livingston Holiday Lights, addressed the Urbana City Council during the Jan. 7 public-comment period to respond to a complaint about his display at 428 Lafayette.
Livingston said the seasonal light show began in 2020 and includes Halloween and Christmas versions. "It's been going since 2020... I do a Halloween and a Christmas," he told the council. He said the display is free, draws visitors from the community and beyond, and has been visited by nursing homes, special-needs communities and families from other towns. "The support from numerous local Urbana residents and multiple businesses in the area has been overwhelming," he said.
Livingston described the show's scheduled hours and steps he has taken after receiving a complaint. He told the council he follows reduced hours during weekdays and extends hours on weekends: for the Halloween show he follows 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; for the Christmas show he runs 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. He said this year the display is five houses wide and that he has coordinated with neighbors; two neighbors joined his decorations this year and another plans to join next year.
On addressing complaints and law enforcement guidance, Livingston said he contacted dispatch and was told he had not broken any laws. "I asked the dispatcher what did I need to do, what laws did it [violate]. They told me I broke no laws," he said at the meeting. He described steps he takes on-site, including monitoring crowds, asking people not to block driveways and using signage; he also said he can remotely limit radio volume for attendees listening in their cars.
Council members listened and did not take action during the public-comment period; the council later noted there is a noise ordinance and local parking rules but made no new enforcement decision at the meeting. Livingston distributed information and awaited further guidance from the council about any restrictions.
No formal city action or ordinance change resulted from the comment during the Jan. 7 session.
