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Genola resident asks planning commission to cap neighborhood lighting at 15 feet
Summary
Resident David Zeman urged Genola’s planning commission to consider a local ordinance limiting residential and recreational lighting poles to 15 feet, citing light pollution and neighborhood impacts; commissioners agreed to put the topic on next month’s agenda and seek technical input from town lighting staff.
David Zeman, a Genola resident, asked the Planning Commission on Oct. 2 to consider a local ordinance that would cap the maximum height of residential and subdivision recreation lighting poles at 15 feet to reduce light spill and preserve dark skies.
"I just want to, request a simple, request ... consider creating an ordinance regarding my lighting pole maximum height, to be 15 feet for residential, recreation areas such as, like, basketball courts, tennis courts," Zeman told the commission during public forum.
Zeman said most existing fixtures can be shielded or directed and pointed to nearby towns that use similar caps. He told commissioners that the poles recently installed at a corner lot near 600 North and 4 East include about eight poles and that his concern is both brightness and structural safety when poles are placed close to roads.
Commissioners and staff discussed existing nuisance and height rules, the town’s current 35‑foot height reference in some code sections for building elements, and practical options such as directional shielding, curfews or site‑specific setbacks for poles near roads. Several said they would prefer technical input from the town’s lighting/building specialist before drafting an ordinance.
Action taken: The commission agreed to place lighting standards on next month’s agenda and invited staff to ask the town’s lighting specialist to attend for technical guidance on appropriate heights, shielding and structural anchoring standards.
Next step: The commission will re‑visit the proposal with technical recommendations and possible draft ordinance language at a future meeting.
