A proposed ordinance change would remove the City of Minot from conflicts over downtown Minot’s ornamental lighting.

The council gave initial approval Monday to changing its Land Development Ordinance to remove the city’s authority, through its community development director, to regulate ornamental lights installed more than 16 feet high.

A dispute between a downtown resident and the Minot Downtown Business & Professional Association over a block of lighting installed above 16 feet landed before the council at its Aug. 5 meeting. Because of the conflict, the community development director had directed the lights be turned off at 11 p.m., which raised an objection from the downtown association. Council members at that meeting had voiced concern about putting that burden of regulation on the community development director.

Staff prepared alternatives for the council, which decided to eliminate ordinance language related to ornamental lighting. The current ordinance allows ornamental lighting without restriction below 16 feet, and that lack of restriction would continue with the proposed ordinance change, Community Development Director Brian Billingsley said.

The change requires another reading by the council and will require action by the Minot Planning Commission,

The council voted to replace that ordinance section with a new section protecting flights at the airport from sources of light interference. The issue had arisen in the past when plans for rehabilitation of the M building included a beacon light associated with the restoration of the “M” on the roof. That proposal was nixed by the Minot Planning Commission due to airport concerns about flight interference.