The commission soon came to a consensus on the matter and proposed the amendment to the ordinance to the council.

"They all agree that we should put a cap on how bright they can be," Slaybaugh said.

The new amendment will regulate the intensity of light permitted behind backlit awnings, but not how much of an area the awnings can occupy. Ten-foot candles of light is the maximum output of illumination permitted in the amended lighting ordinance.

The commission felt the awning of Rapid Transit Sportswear, 115 S. Allen St., in particular, was excessively lucid, having 21 foot-candle lighting its white awning. New Chinatown Chinese Restaurant, 119 S. Pugh St., and Hooters, 528 E. College Ave., were also concerns of the commission.

"A lot of people were complaining because the lights were bothering them," said council member Thomas Daubert. In neighborhoods especially, Daubert said, people have reported that bright canopy and awning lights have been keeping them up at night.

The new amendment will not require these businesses with awnings already in place to adjust their lighting. Nor does it set a minimum for how much lighting an awning should have. Rather, it sets a guideline for entrepreneurs thinking about establishing a new business in the borough.

Terry Losch, owner of Rapid Transit Sportswear, feels his awning is not a nuisance, calling the amendment absentminded and arbitrary. Losch said the council should support local businesses, especially ones downtown, because that is where visitor and alumni revenues are collected. Ordinances like this, he said, challenge downtown businesses.

"It's a very ambiguous thing — kind of petty," Losch said. "Aren't there more concerns out there other than the brightness of my lights?"

The awning at Rapid Transit is only on during business hours, which after daylight savings, will be about four to five hours a day.

"It's toned down, white on blue, nothing florescent," he said. "The purpose is to light the sidewalk and show the store's open."