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Neighbors press Depoe Bay to close a loophole after repeated strobe‑light nuisance on vacant lot
Summary
Neighbors described repeated strobe-lighting and other nuisance activity on a vacant lot that current nuisance and lighting ordinances do not clearly cover; council members and staff said they will pursue short-term remedies and consider ordinance changes to include vacant lots.
Multiple neighbors told the Depoe Bay City Council on Oct. 7 that a vacant lot adjacent to their homes is the source of repeated nuisance behavior, including a strobe light that flashes toward residences and overnight camping on the lot.
"He shines a strobe light directly at our windows every night," said Peter Eckert, who asked the council for immediate help to protect elderly neighbors and restore sleep and safety. Nathaniel Whitlock and other residents described blackout curtains and lost sleep as remedies they’d had to adopt.
Speakers noted that existing nuisance and lighting ordinances apply in some circumstances but leave a loophole when the light or activity originates on a vacant parcel. Michelle, an adjacent neighbor, urged the council to expand nuisance rules to cover vacant lots and to treat ongoing encampments on private vacant lots as a code enforcement issue.
Councilors asked staff to follow up immediately with enforcement staff and, if needed, a courtesy phone call to the property owner to seek a quick resolution while staff develops ordinance language to close the loophole. Council also suggested residents contact the local PUD for issues arising from street lights. No immediate ordinance change was enacted at the meeting; staff was asked to report back on enforcement options and timing.
