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Hutchinson resident urges ordinance to limit bright commercial-style lights in neighborhood
Summary
A Hutchinson resident told the council that a neighbor installed commercial floodlights that shine into multiple yards and asked the city to consider a light-pollution or light-trespass ordinance. City staff said there is no existing light-pollution code and warned that codes cannot be applied retroactively, but will research options.
John Vetter, a resident at 3400 North Waldron, told the Hutchinson City Council on Nov. 4 that neighbors at 3309 North Lakeview had installed parking-lot style lights that shine into backyards and bedrooms, and that the family had tried to address the matter through code enforcement and police without success.
"These folks have now put parking lot style commercial lights on their roof pointing at the neighborhood," Vetter said while presenting a petition and nighttime photos. He said code enforcement first engaged in February and that the lights were installed Oct. 18; he asked council to consider drafting a light-pollution or light-trespass ordinance that could give residents recourse in similar situations.
Council members and staff told Vetter that Hutchinson currently lacks a specific light-pollution code and that, as a general matter, municipal codes are not applied retroactively. Staff also noted sensitivity about appearing to pick sides in neighbor disputes. "I think the issue that we're going to run into is that we can't apply codes retroactively," the mayor said, and Matt Williams encouraged Vetter to provide contact information and the petition so staff can research potential ordinance language and next steps.
The council did not take immediate action on the request but asked staff to review options and respond to the petitioner.
