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Southwest Ranches adopts tighter outdoor‑lighting rules, approves maintenance budget and advances sign and assembly code changes
Summary
The Town Council approved an amended outdoor‑lighting ordinance on final reading (including a change setting motion‑sensor lights to a two‑minute default), authorized $85,000 in budget amendments for road and street‑sign maintenance, and passed first‑reading amendments on noncommercial signage and indoor/outdoor assembly rules.
The Town of Southwest Ranches on Wednesday adopted revised outdoor‑lighting rules intended to strengthen the town's dark‑sky protections while easing a proposed restriction on motion‑activated lights.
At second reading, council members voted unanimously to adopt changes to article 95 of the town—ode that adjust definitions, lighting‑intensity standards and prohibited practices. Mayor Brightcrest said the changes are aimed at keeping the town "more in line with the dark‑sky ordinance" and protecting residents’ night skies. The council amended a previously proposed one‑minute motion‑sensor cutoff to two minutes after members and residents raised safety and practicality concerns; the amended motion was put and passed on the floor.
Why it matters: the ordinance balances the town ark‑sky goals with residents—oncerns about motion lights that police or homeowners rely on for safety and to spot wildlife or intruders. Council members said enforcement questions will be important when neighbors report potential violations.
The meeting also included two budget approvals. Town staff requested and the council approved two immediate change orders funded from the unassigned fund balance: a $75,000 amendment for road maintenance and $10,000 for street‑sign replacement and repairs. Russell, the town staff member who presented the request, said the money will let crews complete anticipated maintenance for the rest of the fiscal year; the council voted to authorize staff to issue purchase orders and return formal resolutions at the July 24 meeting.
Council members advanced companion sign and assembly code changes on first reading. The noncommercial signage ordinance—which the Local Planning Agency recommended earlier in the evening—would set a townwide rule covering political and other noncommercial signs and clarifies how private‑property signage is treated; the companion amendment refines conditional‑use rules for indoor and outdoor assembly in rural and agricultural districts. Both items passed first reading, meaning they will return for final action at a later meeting after additional review.
Votes at a glance: - Outdoor‑lighting ordinance (final reading): motion passed, roll call unanimous (yes: 5, no: 0). - Budget amendment (road maintenance $75,000 + sign maintenance $10,000): motion passed, roll call unanimous (yes: 5, no: 0). - Noncommercial signage ordinance (first reading): motion passed, roll call unanimous (yes: 5, no: 0). - Conditional uses/assembly ordinance (first reading): motion passed, roll call unanimous (yes: 5, no: 0).
What comes next: The lighting ordinance will take effect per the ordinance language; the signage and assembly changes will return for final council action after staff and legal refine the text. The council asked staff and code compliance to track enforcement questions and to provide clearer guidance and outreach for residents.
