Outdoor Lighting Standards PC Presentation (6.6.24)

BOYD O. SEWE | RANGE PLANNING

Urban County Planning Commission

June 06, 2024

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Application Information

• 2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - Theme B, Protection Policy #10 - Reduce light pollution to protect dark skies.

• ARTICLE 16- 3 - Minimum design and maintenance requirements for parking areas.

g) Any lighting used to illuminate off -street parking areas shall be arranged so as to reflect away from any adjoining residential zone or uses and any public or private right -of -way.

Free -standing lighting shall be no taller than twelve (12) feet in height.

• COUNCIL INITIATED - Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment.

• Council’s first reading was on April 11th , 2024, and second reading on April 25th , 2024.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Proposed Text Amendment

• This Article applies to all zones, excluding the principle and accessory uses withing the following agricultural zones: Agricultural Rural (A-R), Agricultural Buffer (A-B), and Agricultural Natural (A-N) zones.

• Establish comprehensive and objective regulations regarding effective lighting safeguarding public and environmental health, safety, and welfare.

• Foster high-quality outdoor lighting that discourages light pollution, glare, light trespass, sky glow, and minimizing nocturnal impacts on wildlife.

• Sections of this Ordinance includes outdoor lighting requirements where provided, lighting plans, outdoor lighting standards, outdoor recreation and entertainment use lighting requirements, and non-conforming existing lighting.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor Lighting Requirements Where Provided.

• Exterior Lighting.

• Lighting for Access Easements.

• Exemptions:

• The principle and accessory uses within the following agricultural zones: Agricultural Rural (A-R), Agricultural Buffer (A-B), and Agricultural Natural (A-N) zones.

• Unshielded fixture with a maximum output of seventy (70) lumens per fixture.

• Shielded fixture with a maximum output of one thousand (1,000) lumens per fixture.

• Lighting required by Federal or State regulations.

• Lighting required by the Kentucky state building code.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Lighting Plans.

• Shall be provided when a landscape plan or final development plan is required.

• Depict consistent illumination across parking and pedestrian facilities.

• Certified by a licensed architect, landscape architect or professional engineer.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor Lighting Standards – Lighting fixture.

Fully shielded lighting fixture.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor Lighting Standards – Color Temperature.

A maximum color temperature of 3000 Kelvin.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor Lighting Standards – Height Limit.

• Lighting mounted on poles or structures within fifteen (15) feet of the frontside and rear property boundary shall not exceed a mounting height of twelve (12) feet.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor Lighting Standards – Maximum Lumens.

Dunedin, New Zealand

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor Lighting Standards – Light Trespass.

• Light trespass shall not exceed 0.5 horizontal foot candles.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor Lighting Standards – Light Trespass.

• Light trespass shall not exceed 0.5 horizontal foot candles.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Special Provisions.

• Height of fixtures mounted on poles or structures.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor Recreation and Entertainment Use Lighting Requirements.

Maximum Lumens.

• Limited light trespass during operation.

• Lighting shall be aimed at the playing or performance area and audience viewing areas.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Comparison Communities and Model Ordinance

• Staff reviewed outdoor lighting regulations from the following communities:

• City of Alpine, TX.

• City of Celina, TX.

• Cottonwood, AZ.

• Dripping Springs, TX.

• Loveland, OH.

• Montgomery County, PA.

• Springdale, UT.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Zoning Committee Recommendation

Sec. 30-2. - Outdoor Lighting Requirements Where Provided.

This section Article applies to all zones, excluding the principle and accessory uses within the following agricultural zones: Agricultural Rural (A-R), Agricultural Buffer (A-B), and Agricultural Natural (A-N) zones.

(a) All exterior lighting shall be in conformance with this Article for new development, buildings, exterior renovations, and additions.

(b) Lighting for access easements approved by the Planning Commission shall conform to the requirements of the Complete Streets Manuals.

(c) Exemptions

(1) Unshielded fixture with a maximum output of seventy (70) lumens per fixture.

(2) Shielded fixture with a maximum output of one thousand (1,000) lumens per fixture provided the source of the light is not visible from any other property.

(3) Lighting required by Federal or State regulations.

(4) Lighting which does not otherwise conform to the provisions of this Article and is associated with an approved Special Events Permit.

(5) Lighting required by the Kentucky state building code shall not be prohibited by this article but shall be subject to the lighting standards.

(6) Lighting for signage shall be regulated as per Article 17.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Other Affected Articles - Article 12 - Commercial Center (B-6P)

Zone

Sec. 12-8. - Minimum design standards.

(g) Lighting. Exterior lighting shall be regulated by Article 30 and restricted as follows:

(1) Wall mounted lamps that use the equivalent of one thousand, two hundred (1,200) lumens per bulb or greater shall be shielded or equipped with cutoffs so that the light sources are not visible from a public street. Spotlights without shielding devices are prohibited.

(2) Wall mounted light fixtures shall not extend above the height of the wall to which they are mounted.

(3) Lighting that is positioned to highlight a building shall be aimed at the object to be illuminated and not directly aimed into the sky.

(4) Any light fixture intended to illuminate walkways or other outdoor areas shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height unless specifically used to light an outdoor recreation facility such as a tennis court, ball field, or similar use.

(5) Any light fixture intended to illuminate a parking area shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height, and shall be shielded or equipped with cutoffs so as to prevent undue light spill onto adjoining properties.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Other Affected Articles - Article 16 - General Regulations For Vehicular Use Areas

Sec. 12-8. - Minimum design and maintenance requirements for parking areas.

(b) Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking areas shall be regulated by Article 30.be arranged so as to reflect away from any adjoining residential zone or uses and any public or private right-of-way. Free-standing lighting shall be no taller than twelve (12) feet in height.

The Staff Recommends: Approval of Presented Language

1. The proposed text amendment is in agreement with the 2045 Comprehensive Plan, Theme B, Protection Policy #10 - Reduce light pollution to protect dark skies.

2. The proposed text amendment promotes energy efficiency and cost reduction by encouraging the use of better lighting, and it enhances health and safety by minimizing issues related to excessive lighting while improving night visibility.

3. The proposed text amendment sets clear guidelines for consistent outdoor lighting practices, fostering innovation and the adoption of advanced lighting technologies.

PLN-ZOTA-24-00004: OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Questions?