Downtown Denison businesses could string holiday lights from Nov. 15 through Jan. 3 without first obtaining a city permit, according to a draft lighting guideline prepared by an ad‑hoc committee of the Historic Preservation Board.
Committee recommendations
The committee, composed of board members and other downtown stakeholders, met in September after the board asked for a review of lighting rules in the historic district. Their notes stress the need to keep downtown lively for commerce while protecting the appearance of historic buildings.
Color temperature: The draft recommends warm‑white lighting on rooftops and building facades, with a standard of 2,700 Kelvin and a ceiling of 3,000 Kelvin. The committee prefers regulating by Kelvin rating rather than requiring the city to measure brightness.
Holiday period: No permit would be required for holiday lights displayed between Nov. 15 and Jan. 3. Lights could be hung earlier, but they may not be turned on before Nov. 15. The group also discussed listing acceptable colors for certain occasions, such as red, white and blue for July 4.
Motion: Moving or flashing lights would be prohibited.
Quicker approvals: Lighting attached to awnings, such as cafe lighting, could be approved by staff rather than the full board. Architectural lighting that highlights a building’s details would still need a certificate of appropriateness.
Additional guidance
The notes suggest encouraging lit window displays until about 10 p.m. Large and inflatable decorations are already barred by city ordinance. The city’s earlier sign rules exempted temporary lights and holiday decorations displayed for 90 days or less.
The Historic Preservation Board will consider the committee’s report at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the council chambers at City Hall, 300 W. Main St. The agenda lists the item for report and discussion only, with no vote recommended.
Local business owners and residents who support a festive downtown atmosphere are welcomed to review the draft and provide comments before the board’s meeting.
Original reporting: DenisonWeekly.news — read the source article.
