Resident renews complaint about bright hotel lighting, cites city lighting ordinance

Larry Pratt, a Hot Springs resident, returned to the council during public comment to press the city to enforce its outdoor‑lighting ordinance after new LED fixtures near Mesa Flats and at a Sheridan/Thompson intersection began shining into nearby yards.

Pratt read the ordinance citation into the record and asked the city to require shielding on the hotel fixture so light would be directed away from residences. "This ordinance was written by the city...Lighting of all types shall be directed so as to not reflect directly onto any public right of way," Pratt said, referring to the codified provision he cited as 155.056.

City staff told the council that code enforcement and a city representative (Wes) had contacted the property owner and that the owner said he had purchased shielding equipment; staff said a letter that enclosed the ordinance had been mailed and that code enforcement had spoken with the property owner "a couple of times," and staff would follow up to ensure installation.

Council members and Pratt also discussed the distinction between city-owned street lighting and utility-owned lights on wooden poles; staff said Black Hills Power fixtures are required to comply with city rules where they are in the city right-of-way, and staff said they would follow up with the public works director and code enforcement.

Why it matters: The exchange shows residents using public comment to seek city enforcement of a local ordinance and staff responding that enforcement steps are underway. The council did not take a separate formal vote on the issue during the meeting.