String lighting

Jan. 9. By Dave Vieser. Outdoor string lighting, currently banned by Cornelius regulations, got an A-OK at the Planning Board meeting yesterday. The recommended change will be sent to the Town Board for a likely February vote.

“The current Town Code prohibits any illuminated tubing or strings of lights including, but not limited to those outlining property lines, doors, windows and the edges of walls except for holidays,” said Planning Director Rox Burhans. “However, we have not enforced the regulations unless the violations have grown into a nuisance situation.”

In reality more and more businesses are choosing to use outdoor string lights year-around, Burhans said.

“Existing outdoor lighting can be found in the growing arts district area and is commonly used to highlight outdoor dining and entertainment areas,” Burhans said.

No opposition was voiced at the Jan. 8 session, and the measure to permit neutral color light strings was sent to the Town Board with the Planning Board’s unanimous recommendation for approval.