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Planners, residents say Harbor Freight parking lights are too bright; commission discusses downlighting
Summary
Commission members and commenters complained Harbor Freight—xterior lighting is blinding to nearby residents and discussed downlighting standards; commissioners noted potential school-safety benefits but urged staff to check compliance and consider mitigation.
Planning commission members and attendees raised repeated complaints about exterior lighting at the Harbor Freight site, saying the parking-lot illumination creates glare for nearby residents and may exceed what the commission would have approved.
"It's brighter than the casino," Speaker 4 said, describing how the lights blind drivers and neighbors. Speaker 4 and others said that if Harbor Freight had come before the commission during site review, the commission would not have approved the current lighting scheme.
Commissioners acknowledged competing priorities: Speaker 3 observed the lights may aid school-area safety, but other members stressed the commission's usual requirement for downlighting that limits spill and glare. The group asked staff to confirm whether the Harbor Freight property is within town limits and to investigate whether the lighting complies with current downlighting standards.
Next steps: no formal enforcement action was taken at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to look into complaints and return with findings so the commission can recommend mitigation if permitted by code.
