Council plans consolidated dark‑skies ordinance after resident complaints about bright residential lights
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Summary
After multiple resident complaints about bright lights from a new neighbor, council members told staff to work with the planning commission to consolidate scattered outdoor‑lighting rules into a clearer, enforceable dark‑skies ordinance and to propose a progressive fee schedule for repeat violations.
Interlaken — Residents raised concerns about a neighbor’s bright climbing‑wall and gym lighting; the council said staff will pull scattered lighting provisions out of the land‑use code and draft a consolidated, enforceable dark‑skies ordinance.
Resident Tasha Lagos told the council she has “never seen as much dog feces on the road” and also complained that a new neighbor’s lights — including a gym/climbing‑wall installation with no shades — “come directly into our faces.” Council members replied they have already contacted Midway, that Midway code restricts lights extending beyond a property line, and that Midway staff appear receptive.
Town staff said current lighting rules are fragmented across multiple titles and recommended consolidating the standards and adding clear time windows for holiday lighting and other exemptions. Staff proposed a separate fee schedule with progressive fines for repeated violations so the town can avoid immediate criminal prosecution but still deter persistent noncompliance.
Council directed the planning commission to assist with drafting specific language and agreed to include dark‑skies topics in upcoming land‑use work sessions. No ordinance was adopted at the Jan. 6 meeting; council members said they will return with draft language and an enforcement plan.
Next steps: planning commission involvement and one or more land‑use meetings to craft precise, enforceable code language.