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Resident urges tighter Dark Skies enforcement after bright holiday display
Summary
A neighbor told the Interlaken Town Council that a nearby home's holiday lights were bright enough to cast shadows in his bedroom, and urged updates to the town's Dark Skies ordinance and enforcement schedule; council staff were asked to review code and enforcement options.
Art Lang, a resident of 248 Interlaken Drive, told the Interlaken Town Council during public comment that a house above his at 259 St. Moritz installed very bright holiday lights this past December that were "bright enough to cast shadows in his bedroom." Lang said he bought his home because he favored the town's Dark Skies policy and expressed disappointment that the lights remained on longer than in prior years.
Lang said he reviewed the town code and found deficiencies in enforcement and asked to contribute to efforts to improve code language and enforcement. He specifically proposed adding a schedule that would prohibit this type of holiday lighting during certain nighttime hours. Council members were directed to share Lang's notes with Bart, who is handling code and enforcement options; Bart had presented a report at the prior council meeting that is attached to the minutes.
Lang also raised wildlife concerns and shared a photograph of a distant nebula to underscore his preference for darker night skies. At the same public-comment period, another resident praised a recently installed speed bump outside his house, saying it had "helped a great deal with speeding in town."
The council did not take formal action during the meeting; Mayor Greg Harrigan asked staff to review Lang's suggestions and consider whether code or enforcement changes are needed. The council did not set a timeline for revisions; follow-up will be through staff review and future agenda items.
