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Resident urges enforcement on blinking lights, questions Public Works costs; clerk reports about 160 business licenses
Summary
Resident David Whitaker told the Floyd Town Council he believed blinking decorations are prohibited and objected to late-night lighting at Outerspace and to cited costs for a new Public Works building; the town clerk reported roughly 160 business licenses and the town attorney clarified Code of Virginia guidance on discounts.
Resident David Whitaker told the Floyd Town Council on March 5 that, "to his understanding, residents were not permitted to have blinking lights within the Town limits," and said blinking icicle lights — which he described as Christmas lights — should be removed.
Whitaker also raised concerns about the restaurant Outerspace, saying "exterior lights were illuminated at night when the business was closed" and urging the town to "either enforce its codes or repeal them." He questioned council appropriations for a Public Works building, saying $80,000 had been allocated for design and $300,000 for construction and arguing that the combined $380,000 could instead build a "nice residence." The minutes record Whitaker’s opinion that the expenditure would not be prudent given property tax revenues; the transcript does not record a council response on the budget figures.
In the Town Manager's absence, Town Clerk Lynn Gregory told the council that approximately 160 business licenses were issued. Later in the meeting, when asked for an update on partnership authority, Town Attorney Janet Murrell said "provisions of the Code of Virginia allowed towns to receive discounts, provided the discounts related to Town responsibilities (which may include mowing grass)." The attorney's comment was framed as a clarification of legal authority rather than a formal policy change.
The minutes do not record immediate enforcement steps in response to Whitaker's comments. Residents who want clarification on the town's lighting code or the capital project budget will need to follow up with town staff or at a future council meeting.
