The Metro Historic Zoning Commission filed a lawsuit on Monday against Ryman Hospitality over the company’s decision to bathe the exterior of the Ole Red honky-tonk in red light.

The complaint was filed in General Sessions Court in Nashville.

On one hand, Lower Broadway is a sea of neon lighting at night and a red-lit exterior building would seem to fit right in. But the Historic Zoning Commission passed a policy in August 2017 banning colored exterior lights in districts with historic overlays.

Ryman lights the building red at night to match the Ole Red theme of the honky-tonk, which is a partnership with country music artist Blake Shelton. The honky-tonk is named after one of Shelton's hit songs.

While the front of the building is white, the side is red brick.

At issue is whether the Historic Zoning Commission has the authority to regulate exterior light colors. The city agency typically regulates what alterations a property owner can make to buildings located in historic overlays, like the Ole Red building.

Previous coverage of lower Broadway:Growing pains on Lower Broadway, as Nashville's honky-tonk district bursts at the seams

While exterior signs have been the subject of historic regulations on Lower Broadway, the lighting of buildings is a new source of legal disputes. A Ryman Hospitality spokeswoman said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

The Historic Zoning Commission is seeking an injunction ordering Ryman to correct the lighting issue.

The lawsuit claims that Ryman was only approved for white exterior lighting.

"Lighting should be concealed or simple and unobtrusive in design, materials, and relationship to other facade or elevation elements," the historic permit, which was filed with the lawsuit, states.

Lower Broadway honky-tonk owners have blasted the Historic Zoning Commission in the past, claiming the department is overreaching in its enforcement of guidelines in the historic district.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER:The latest business stories on Nashville's growth, delivered right to your inbox.

Enforcement of historic guidelines has been a source of tension in Nashville, where development is booming and destruction of old buildings is frequently criticized by preservationists.

In the case of Ole Red, Ryman has spent millions of dollars renovating the building and the honky-tonk has been a success, emerging as one of the city's most popular honky-tonks.

Ole Red was rolled out with tremendous fanfare, as Shelton joined the ranks of other country stars to have honky-tonks themed after them. Ryman and Shelton also opened an Ole Red in his hometown in Oklahoma and last year announced plans for another location in Gatlinburg.

When Ryman announced plans for Ole Red in 2017, the company said it planned to invest $20 million in the building.

The building, which was constructed in 1926, is valued at $22.4 million according to the most recent public appraisal.

Two years ago, the city proposed historic design guidelines for the lower Broadway district. While business owners supported some of the proposed guidelines, they criticized others, including the exterior lighting proposal, and the issue ultimately was put on the back-burner.

DOWNLOAD THE APP:Get local stories that matter to you on your mobile device

Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and nrau@tennessean.com. Follow on Twitter @tnnaterau.