Twin Lakes trustees back drafting villagewide outdoor lighting ordinance after residents' petition
January 19, 2026 | Twin Lakes, Kenosha County, Wisconsin
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Trustees of the Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, directed staff on Jan. 19, 2026, to draft a revised villagewide outdoor lighting ordinance after residents from Lake Elizabeth presented a petition saying new marina lights were shining into homes. Trustee Aaron Karow called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m., and the trustees approved the minutes from June 16, 2025, by a 4-0 vote before discussing the lighting draft.
Resident Nadine Fabish of 545 Storms Drive urged the trustees to move forward with an ordinance “consistent with DNR and UW-Extension shoreline lighting guidance,” recommended motion-activated lighting rather than dusk-to-dawn fixtures and suggested a 60- to 90-day compliance period. Bryan Neal of 142 West Park Drive told the board that “directional lighting and modification of light fixtures are easy and inexpensive” and voiced support for establishing a lighting ordinance.
Several trustees said the draft before them was intended to apply Village-wide, not only to lakefront properties. Trustee Jim Baxa said the ordinance should include measurable standards and suggested “0.5 foot-candle property-line limits” and language addressing reflections over water, while Trustee Kevin Fitzgerald said he was generally supportive. Trustee Ken Perl agreed the rules should apply to residential and commercial properties across the Village. Trustee Karow raised concerns about enforceability and the subjectivity of nuisance standards and asked that absent trustees be consulted.
Other residents urged a broad, safety-aware approach. Kim Lishamer of 1816 Pheasant Avenue said any ordinance should be Village-wide and should consider harbors and marinas for both safety and security. Pete Lishamer, also of 1816 Pheasant Avenue, told trustees he had discussed the lights with Officer Saunders and Bill Poetker and said the lighting “is legal” and has been in place since 1989; he said the fixtures were changed to LED about 10 years ago when mercury vapor bulbs were no longer available. Liz Kinney of 1505 Richmond Road cited Door County’s dark-sky ordinance as an example and urged standards that direct light downward to minimize spillover. Lisa Wegener of 245 West Park Drive said she noticed the lights after the June 7, 2024 annual meeting and that “30 residents support the ordinance, not just her.”
Trustees reached consensus for staff and Trustee Jim Baxa to prepare a second draft of the ordinance; the Lake District may submit comments and the item was continued for discussion at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. The panel adjourned at 7:44 p.m. after a Karow/Fitzgerald motion that carried 4-0.
Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (June 16, 2025): Karow/Perl motion carried 4-0.
- Direction to staff to draft a revised outdoor lighting ordinance (consensus): referral to staff and Trustee Jim Baxa; continued to next Committee of the Whole meeting.
- Adjournment: Karow/Fitzgerald motion carried 4-0.
Resident Nadine Fabish of 545 Storms Drive urged the trustees to move forward with an ordinance “consistent with DNR and UW-Extension shoreline lighting guidance,” recommended motion-activated lighting rather than dusk-to-dawn fixtures and suggested a 60- to 90-day compliance period. Bryan Neal of 142 West Park Drive told the board that “directional lighting and modification of light fixtures are easy and inexpensive” and voiced support for establishing a lighting ordinance.
Several trustees said the draft before them was intended to apply Village-wide, not only to lakefront properties. Trustee Jim Baxa said the ordinance should include measurable standards and suggested “0.5 foot-candle property-line limits” and language addressing reflections over water, while Trustee Kevin Fitzgerald said he was generally supportive. Trustee Ken Perl agreed the rules should apply to residential and commercial properties across the Village. Trustee Karow raised concerns about enforceability and the subjectivity of nuisance standards and asked that absent trustees be consulted.
Other residents urged a broad, safety-aware approach. Kim Lishamer of 1816 Pheasant Avenue said any ordinance should be Village-wide and should consider harbors and marinas for both safety and security. Pete Lishamer, also of 1816 Pheasant Avenue, told trustees he had discussed the lights with Officer Saunders and Bill Poetker and said the lighting “is legal” and has been in place since 1989; he said the fixtures were changed to LED about 10 years ago when mercury vapor bulbs were no longer available. Liz Kinney of 1505 Richmond Road cited Door County’s dark-sky ordinance as an example and urged standards that direct light downward to minimize spillover. Lisa Wegener of 245 West Park Drive said she noticed the lights after the June 7, 2024 annual meeting and that “30 residents support the ordinance, not just her.”
Trustees reached consensus for staff and Trustee Jim Baxa to prepare a second draft of the ordinance; the Lake District may submit comments and the item was continued for discussion at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. The panel adjourned at 7:44 p.m. after a Karow/Fitzgerald motion that carried 4-0.
Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (June 16, 2025): Karow/Perl motion carried 4-0.
- Direction to staff to draft a revised outdoor lighting ordinance (consensus): referral to staff and Trustee Jim Baxa; continued to next Committee of the Whole meeting.
- Adjournment: Karow/Fitzgerald motion carried 4-0.
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