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Residents urge township to study lighting ordinance; staff points to zoning and enforcement questions
Summary
A resident asked trustees to consider a residential lighting ordinance to prevent intrusive, industrial‑style spotlights; staff recommended vetting a standalone nuisance‑lighting resolution with police and zoning, while another new resident asked about sidewalks and staff recommended Testerman Park and noted sidewalk requirements for new commercial development.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Elaine Baumann of 837 Nunner Road urged the trustees to consider an ordinance addressing residential spotlights that she said invade neighbors’ privacy.
“Lighting should not be directed into your neighbor's windows to the point where it makes it difficult to sleep,” Baumann said, describing high‑intensity lights that she said can illuminate yards for hundreds of feet.
Township staff acknowledged there is no current zoning language that governs residential lighting and recommended examining a standalone nuisance‑lighting resolution. “The zoning resolution addresses it in commercial and industrial institutional. It probably would make sense ... to have this as a standalone,” staff said, noting the board should vet the proposal with police and zoning officials and define enforcement and penalty measures.
Staff cautioned the trustees that nuisance resolutions can be used in neighborhood disputes and recommended clear, practicable standards so enforcement is not arbitrary. Staff asked to work with police, zoning and the township administrator to propose an ordinance and to clarify which department would be responsible for enforcement.
A second public commenter, Chris McMinn (1171 Craig Court), said he recently moved to the Autumn Run area and asked whether the township has connected sidewalks or destinations for walking and biking. Staff replied that recent zoning requires developers to provide sidewalks for new commercial projects and recommended Testerman Park for family‑friendly walking trails and recreation. “So, short answer to your last question is yes,” staff said, while noting retrofitting older neighborhoods with sidewalks will take longer and depends on funding and developer-built improvements.
Staff said they would follow up with the resident and that board members or staff could inspect the lighting complaint in the evening if necessary. No ordinance was adopted; staff will report back after consulting with police and zoning.
