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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, April 11, 2016 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 22 of 32 <br /> <br />15. #15-3784 TEXT AMENDMENT PERTAINING TO LIGHTING REGULATIONS, <br />NUISANCES (continued) <br /> <br />Printup commented he was surprised this ranked number one or two on residents’ concerns. Printup <br />asked why this is ranked so high. <br /> <br />Barnhart indicated he does not know why. Barnhart noted there is a provision for dark skies and that <br />there are a number of residents who are interested in the preservation of that. In addition, some <br />complaints have been received from a couple of residents about lights being a nuisance. Barnhart noted <br />the Planning Commission has also been talking about a lighting ordinance that would recognize a <br />nuisance. <br /> <br />McMillan noted a lighting ordinance has been talked about on and off for the past ten years and that one <br />of the desired characteristics of Orono is the dark skies. McMillan stated the City currently does not have <br />a lighting ordinance and that Staff has put a lot of good thought and effort into this. McMillan stated in <br />her view this is a good start. <br /> <br />McMillan noted she has had citizens approach her and ask for a dark skies ordinance. When the City did <br />their lighting at the city hall complex, the lighting was pointed more downward. The Council also <br />directed that the Navarre streetlights be directed downward as much as possible. <br /> <br />McMillan stated it is nice to have something that the Council can start with and that she would be willing <br />to table it to allow the Council to give more thought to it. <br /> <br />Cornick stated he understands the impetus for the ordinance was a dispute among neighbors. Cornick <br />asked whether car headlights that shine into people’s homes would also be covered under the nuisance <br />portion. <br /> <br />Barnhart stated the ordinance does not regulate automobile lighting or interior lighting. Barnhart <br />indicated he can look at car headlights. <br /> <br />Printup asked how this ordinance would be enforced. <br /> <br />Barnhart stated it is hard for Staff to inspect things when it is dark out since they are not in the office at <br />night. Barnhart stated there likely will be some equipment that will be necessary and that the police chief <br />is looking into those costs. Barnhart stated the ordinance likely would need to be enforced by the police <br />department. <br /> <br />Walsh asked what the police department would do. <br /> <br />Barnhart stated on the nuisance side, there needs to be measurable standards. The light would be <br />measured at a height of 60 inches above the ground. If the light is above the 1-foot candle, it would <br />technically be a nuisance. <br /> <br />Mattick stated it would be a misdemeanor criminal citation. <br /> <br />Walsh commented a misdemeanor is pretty serious and that DWIs are charged as misdemeanors.