Posted: June 17, 2009

Fox Point - David Weiss has a lighting problem he hopes the village can help solve.

General Capital, which owns Fox Point Shops, has installed new goose neck light fixtures in the parking lot. Weiss, a partner in the company, told the Village Board last week that the light fixtures are taller than the 12-foot height allowed under the code.

The light itself is at the 12-foot level, but the top of the goose neck is about two feet higher, he said.

"We cut one down to adjust it to the code, but it looks too low and doesn't give the right amount of light at that height," Weiss said.

Village President Mike West asked if, because of the greater height, the light extended more than allowed by the code.

Weiss said the illumination was at the 12-foot height and did not extend more than code allows.

Village Attorney Eric Larson said the correct way to clear up any question about the height of the fixture versus the height of the light in the fixture is to amend the ordinance.

Trustee Sandy Garmer noted that a great deal of work went into the development of the lighting code.

"We have held the Town Club to the 12-foot height," she said, noting that changing the ordinance might create other problems.

By a 4-2 vote, the board decided to consider an amended ordinance at its July 14 meeting. Garmer and Trustee Beverly Bell voted against the motion.