After neighbors testify about 'targeted' lights, council adds enforcement and 10‑day remedy to residential outdoor‑lighting ordinance

Council adopted a revised residential outdoor‑lighting ordinance after residents testified that neighboring lights were intentionally shining into their yards and homes. Robert Palmer told the council the lighting was deliberate and persistent: "This is intentional," he said, describing bright fixtures that shine into his breakfast room and living area.

Laurie Palmer described lights that "shine directly into our backyard through our bedroom window" and said a surveillance camera had been aligned with the lights after an earlier dispute. Staff explained the oversight in the packet — an enforcement section (Section 14‑1‑96) that clarifies complaint‑driven enforcement and the actors who may investigate. Staff advised using an objective measure (foot‑candle meter) so the ordinance can be enforceable rather than phrased as an indeterminate "unreasonable light." Speaker Brandon explained, "You need an objective measure to be able to determine ... otherwise it makes it really hard to enforce."

Council amended the ordinance to include the enforcement language and set a fixed remedy period (10 days) before citations for unresolved violations; the motion to adopt the ordinance with that enforcement approach passed. Councilors said the ordinance is intended to provide a civil remedy for persistent, targeted light trespass while allowing for a warning and a short correction window.