Agoura Hills to take a closer look at outdoor lights

By Stephanie Bertholdo Acorn Staff Writer

Wall lights, roof lights, string lights, safety lights, tree lights, holiday lights—exterior illumination on commercial properties was a central issue at a recent Agoura Hills City Council meeting.

While no new ordinance was enacted, the council decided that holiday lights for commercial businesses would be permissible from Nov. 15 through Jan. 15.

And more changes may be glimmering in the future. Council members debated possible changes in the city’s architectural design standards and guidelines regarding outdoor lighting.

A joint workshop on the issue was conducted at the end of January. An ad hoc lighting advisory committee was formed and it reviewed the topic from various perspectives.

The length of time for holiday lights on commercial buildings was one consideration. The proposed amendment recommended that holiday lighting would be acceptable from Nov. 15 through Jan. 15, without review by the city. Holiday lighting at other times during the year is prohibited, unless an exterior lighting plan is approved by the city council.

Several members of the city council, however, objected to allowing holiday lights for two months on commercial buildings.

Mayor pro tem Dan Kuperberg expressed displeasure with string lights. He added that he would prefer to limit holiday lights on commercial and retail buildings from Dec. 1 to Jan. 5.

"There’s no compelling reason to allow (holiday) lights in November," Kuperberg said, adding that the proposed two-month period is "going overboard."

City Councilwoman Louise Rishoff concurred with Kuperberg on shortening the time frame for holiday lights. She said she doesn’t want the city to "look like Disneyland." Rishoff would prefer to ban string lights altogether and would welcome a dark skies ordinance. "We need the ability to see the stars," she said.

City Councilman Ed Corridori said he had no problem with string lights, especially on outdoor patios. "In some areas, it’s attractive," he said.

While agreeing that dark skies are important, Corridori said that two months for holiday lights is reasonable because it gives adequate time to get them up and down. Many small businesses generate 75 percent or more of their revenue during the holidays, he said.

The revised ordinance calls for a detailed, comprehensive lighting plan, prepared by a licensed lighting professional for proposed exterior lighting on commercial, industrial and multi-family zoned properties.

The proposed amendment would also accommodate greater sensitivity to the character of surrounding neighborhoods to reduce the intrusion of outdoor lighting on residential areas and the freeway corridor.

In all, the lighting advisory committee proposed eight guidelines, detailing the use of side and roof mounted lights, tree lights and parking lights.

City Councilman Denis Weber said that the committee tried hard to be sensitive and devise a comprehensive lighting plan. He added that retailers need lighting and the "Christmas season starts earlier and earlier." He agreed with Corridori that the proposed Jan. 5 deadline to remove holiday lights leaves inadequate time for businesses.

Mayor Jeff Reinhardt said he has received complaints about holiday lighting, but tried to strike a compromise with other council members on the holiday time frame, suggesting that holiday lights be acceptable from Nov. 22 through Jan. 8.

The proposed amendment didn’t pass, but Corridori suggested reviewing the provisions one at a time. He wants, Corridori said, the "kind of lighting you have in your living room, not like the lighting in the garage."

Reinhardt suggested that Corridori return with suggested modifications.

Due to the upcoming holidays, Kuperberg suggested adopting the section that allows holiday lights on commercial and retail buildings from Nov. 15 to Jan. 15. The motion passed 4 to 1, with Rishoff opposed.