Residents continue debate over night lights as Las Vegas looks towards regulations

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Residents in the Northwest Valley continue the debate surrounding building lights at night, as the City of Las Vegas looks to regulate "light pollution," lighting brightness and the hours for lights at night.

The issue continues to garner heavy interest after the fierce debate over the approval of a new temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Lone Mountain.

Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske called for a "Light Reduction" meeting at City Hall on Monday. In June, Allen-Palenske promised to address concerns over lighting issue following approval of the temple.

"As our city continues to grow, is it is essential that we consider how these elements impact our neighborhoods," Allen-Palenske said.

City officials look to draft an ordinance to regulate non-residential lighting. Regulations could dictate hours, brightness, and location of regulations.

In June, A spokesperson for the project told City Council that the building lights would not encroach on other properties, describing the exterior lighting as "gentle." Church officials promised city staff that parking lot lights would turn off after 11 p.m.

Church officials also agreed to lower the height of the temple, all to prevent a Federal Aviation Authority mandate for a blinking red light on the top of the building.

Residents continue to voice concerns over the possible brightness of the temple, and how long the exterior lights could be on all night.

"I don't want it that bright in my front yard, where I sit on my balcony. I don't care what building it is," said concerned resident Peggy Thompson. "It's got to be soft lighting," she said.

"It's kind of disheartening and upsetting, because we have worked so hard as a neighborhood to keep it rural and no street lights," resident Summer Golia-Pritchett said.

Other neighbors do support the temple in the neighborhood and any possible plans for lighting.

"It's Las Vegas. It's the city of lights. I think if you want dark skies, you've got to go where it's truly rural," said neighbor Shalene Heaton. " I do believe that once those lights are on, it's not going to have the impact that people are afraid of," Heaton said.

City officials explained how lighting can be regulated to keep neighborhoods darker at night.

"We have the Strip, which is one of the brightest places on earth. Technically, we're not really able to get to that 'dark sky' designation, but what we can do is implement some regulations that eliminate 'light pollution' and deal with spillover lighting, and limit the effect of the lighting that we have on our streets and in our neighborhoods," said Seth Floyd, director of community development.

A spokesperson for Las Vegas Metropolitan Police told community members that officers urge some form of night lighting to deter criminals from entry.

City officials told community members that they are still crafting a possible ordinance; a draft will head to the Planning Commission during a public hearing, head to City Council to be read in, head to the Recommending Committee for another hearing, then proceed to the whole City Council for discussion and a vote.