Village Board Tables Tighter Lighting Rules

In response to strenuous opposition to proposed changes to its lighting code, the East Hampton Village Board closed a hearing on the matter at its work session on Thursday without taking action.

Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. said that the board would not vote on the proposal until it could study the comments it received and consider less-restrictive changes to the law.

The changes were intended to update a 2004 law to better address light trespass, regulate lighting deemed needless, maintain the village's rural character, and save energy through new technology and reduced use. They would have compelled lighting deemed nonessential to be turned off between dusk and dawn. Lighting in violation of light-trespass limits could have been ordered removed or altered. The changes would have prohibited foliage illumination and "wall washing" by spotlights on nonresidential properties. New regulations would have also been applied to automatic teller and vending machines.

Some business owners and their representatives were harshly critical of the proposed changes and made their feelings known at the board's Jan. 16 meeting. In response, the board left the public comment period open.

At Thursday's meeting, Mayor Rickenbach said that the board had received 11 letters in opposition to the proposed changes and 8 in support.

"Based on all information and data received, either in person before this body or in writing, we are going to close the hearing and take no action on the language as presently promulgated," he said. Rather, the board will study the comments received, and "probably be a little more inclusive with regard to input from others" before modifying the ordinance.

"We thank everyone that did offer a comment, either in favor of or opposed," the mayor said before the board voted to close the hearing. "It's a sensitive subject and we want to, at the end of the day, get it right."