BY DANIEL SCHWALM
What they’re saying
What’s next
FOR THE ORDINANCE
"I think that [the dark sky ordinance] is the right thing to do, that we should honor the beauty of Texas, the beauty of the Lord’s creation, and protect all the little creatures and the things that belong in the night, and all the children who have never seen stars and never really known wonder." LIZ BRANIGAN, FORMER MAYOR OF LIBERTY HILL
Lighting ordinances have received broad support in Leander and Liberty Hill. However, some local business owners have criticized the restrictions. Keith Bright, owner of Bright Fire Cigars, objects to restrictions on using electronic signs at night. “The city should not have any say in when I can market my business,” Bright said at a March 11 City Council meeting. “I have had many cus- tomers tell me they saw the sign at 3 or 4 in the morning and came back when I was open to buy a product.” Pastor Bill Brannan of Life Springs Church said he believes enforcing electronic sign restrictions on churches violates religious liberty. Supporters of the dark sky ordinance spoke at a March 25 council meeting. “I’ve lived [here] for 25 years, out in a dark sky community. I just want to sit on my back porch and enjoy the fruits of my labor,” said Nick Page, a resident of Liberty Hill’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Michael Chenausky, senior planner with Leander Development Services, said city sta expect a timeline of about two years for the city to receive ocial recognition as an International Dark Sky Place. At a February City Council meeting, most of Leander’s elected ocials said they believe it’s worth it because they see dark skies as a long-term quality- of-life issue. “When we think about where Leander has come from and where we’re headed, I think we want to make sure that we’re environmentally sound and that we’re doing things that improve the quality of life for our residents that live here, and part of that is being able to see the sky at night,” Thompson said. “As we think about going forward, what do we want our city to look like?”
AGAINST THE ORDINANCE
"I think if everyone understood the value of LED signs for the ourishing of the whole community, we would support the right of churches, schools and businesses to use them." BILL BRANNAN, PASTOR, LIFE SPRINGS CHURCH
21
LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook