The lighthouse sits on the edge of a residential neighbourhood, next to Victoria Park. (CBC)

Charlottetown's city council has rejected a proposal from the Canadian Coast Guard to make significant renovations to one of the most photographed lighthouses in P.E.I.

The 100-year-old Brighton Beach Range Light sits on the edge of Brighton Shore, near Victoria Park.

The renovation plans include replacing the railing, light and deck of the structure, lowering the cupola and installing vinyl siding and vinyl windows.

The coast guard had also proposed removing the upper 1.5 metres of the lighthouse to compensate for a 1.5-metre-tall slab of concrete to be placed under the structure to protect it from ice damage.

Kim Devine, the councillor responsible for planning, heritage and arts and culture, said the proposed changes were not appropriate for a heritage property.

"Those changes would alter the historical integrity of the building," she said. "We don't think that those changes are appropriate to … a city that celebrates its heritage."

The lighthouse is designated by Charlottetown as an historic property but it is not designated as such by the federal government.

Mark Chin-Yee, a coast guard spokesman, said the vinyl siding would look like wood shingles.

"We were all a little surprised, especially if it's a much photographed structure," he told CBC News on Tuesday. "Certainly from a photograph, I don't think you'll be able to tell the difference between one structure and the other."

Chin-Yee said the Brighton light is not in any imminent danger so there is time to come to an agreement with the city council. But he said the $250,000 set aside for the project will be lost because the coast guard will have to reapply for funding as a new project.

Devine said the council recognizes the repairs are needed and suggested the coast guard return with a new proposal that would better fit the building.