Zoning rule could mean lights out for small businesses

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Owners of small businesses in Jeffersonville are protesting a city lighting ordinance that they say could be bad for their bottom lines.

The southern Indiana city's planning and zoning department has notified several businesses that they must remove LED lights strung around their windows because they violate rules on lighting styles, positioning and design.

Samai Morris, owner of Mai's Thai restaurant, said she has had LED lights up for eight months. She told the News and Tribune (http://bit.ly/1z1OvJq that customers feel safer with them on, especially at night.

"The lights are very pretty and the customers have all commented that it lightens up the parking lot, which is very, very dark," Morris said.

Shane Corbin, the city's planning and zoning director, said his department isn't targeting small businesses. He said a city-owned athletic complex was denied LED signs and another development took LED signs out of its plan after learning of the athletic complex's denial.

"I try to just ignore (violations) at first, but I started getting complaints from residents, business owners and some people from city government," Corbin said, explaining the violation notices sent to Morris and other business owners.

City Council President Lisa Gill says the ordinance is designed to keep drivers from being distracted.

Councilman Mike Smith has suggested business owners be allowed to keep their lights until the city passes its new comprehensive plan. But Corbin said he doesn't anticipate the updated plan will change the rules on LED lights.

"Many people consider them to be visual clutter," he said.

Morris says a petition seeking to let the businesses keep their lights has collected 450 signatures.

___

Information from: News and Tribune, Jeffersonville, Ind., http://www.newsandtribune.com