Robolights keep lights on amidst city code violations

For the first time in 30 years, Kenny Irwin Jr., the artist behind the massive 9-million light-art display called Robolights is carrying on his family tradition without his father, Kenny Irwin Sr., who died last summer. “It makes me feel wonderful and it made my dad feel wonderful,” Kenny Irwin Jr. said. “He knew how special it was and that’s why he supported it all these years.” While the display continued to grow throughout the years, so did the Palm Springs city code violations. The city found 10 groups of violations. Eight were corrected but two remained. The city said those two violations make it unsafe for the general public to be on Robolight grounds. “We’re not trying to shut him down but we are trying to ensure that he is compliant with our code and that he is not doing anything that could potentially be harmful to someone who comes on the property,” said Palm Springs City Attorney Douglas Holland. One violation is for a large inflatable Santa display on the roof of the house. The city said they don’t have any plans available for them to know if it is anchored down properly. Another violation is for a large bird cage. City Attorney Douglas Holland said all the city needs are plans to show what is on the property and how they plan to fix the violations for a city official to review. “I have an engineer and a contractor that’s been working with me with the town they so far have rejected two sets of plans that we have given them,” Irwin Jr. said. Irwin said to keep the lights on this year, he could get fined about $1,000 a day by the city. A price, Irwin said he is willing to pay to reach his milestone. “I have been doing this for 30 years. It is my right to have a light display same as anybody else,” Irwin said. Irwin said this is his way of making the world a better place, one light and art display at a time. The Robolights home is located in Palm Springs and will be open 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily until Jan. 1.