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Midway council pauses commercial lighting code change, directs staff to rewrite ordinance language
Summary
After a lengthy debate about dark‑sky goals and downtown character, council voted to continue consideration of a Title 5 amendment that would allow commercial soffit (recessed) lighting in commercial zones and directed staff to reword the proposal into a broader 'decorative exterior illumination' section with clearer limits on brightness, color, and allowed hours.
Midway City Council continued deliberation of a proposed amendment to Title 5 of the Midway City Municipal Code that would explicitly allow certain commercial soffit (recessed) lights in commercial zones, and directed staff to return with revised language covering decorative exterior illumination across the commercial zone.
Staff presented proposed language that would have allowed commercial soffit lighting in C‑2, C‑3 and RZ zones when the light source is not visible from residential‑zoned boundaries and when the fixtures are illuminated only during business hours. Applicant representatives (Tom and Sarah Clark, represented by contractor Corey Calderwood) showed photographs of a newly constructed project (the Dandy Pair) and argued the recessed soffit fixtures are dimmable, shielded and more dark‑sky friendly than unrestricted string lights.
Council debate focused on competing goals: the town’s dark‑sky ordinance and the desire to preserve downtown character and safety. Several council members noted enforcement challenges if the code regulates lumens, bulb wattage or post‑construction bulb swaps. Comments ranged from support for allowing well‑designed, dimmable recessed fixtures for downtown vibrancy and safety to concerns that permitting soffit lights now could create a pattern of building then seeking exceptions. One councilmember called the architectural style of some soffit lighting the “spaceship look,” arguing it detracts from historic character; applicants countered that their fixtures are tasteful and dimmable.
Councilmember S2 moved to continue the item and directed staff to reframe the amendment to address decorative exterior illumination (including string and soffit lighting) with clearer standards for uniformity, color temperature, intensity and hours of operation and to prepare enforceable language. The motion was seconded and passed on a council roll call. Members also agreed to a field trip to inspect the Dandy Pair lighting in person before the next hearing.
Council instructed staff to return with a draft that addresses: definitions (soffit vs. string vs. temporary decorative lights), enforceable controls (hours and permitted fixtures or maximum lamp sizes), guidance on commercial zones only (C‑2, C‑3, RZ), and options for a consistent downtown aesthetic while preserving dark‑sky principles.
