Lighting ZOTA WS 4.18.24

PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION

_ BOYD O. SEWE | APRIL 18TH 2024

• On October 27, 2022 the Urban County Council unanimously adopted the Parking Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment.

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

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.

The twelve (12) feet in height has raised a lot of concerns from concerned developers.

BACKGROUND

• 2045 Comprehensive Plan – Theme B. Protection policy #10 - Reduce light pollution to protect dark skies.

• Council Member Preston Worley is in the process of initiation a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment.

Sec. 6-2. - Application for zoning ordinance text amendment. - A proposal for amendment to the text of this Zoning Ordinance may originate with any person or governmental body.

Sec. 6-4. - Commission procedure. - … the Commission shall hold a public hearing and vote to recommend approval or disapproval of the proposed amendment within sixty (60) days of the date of filing for any Council initiated text amendment.

First reading was on April 11th with the second reading scheduled for April 25th and a tentative public hearing on June 13th.

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

• Foster high-quality outdoor lighting that enhances the environment and public safety while discouraging light pollution, glare, light trespass, sky glow, and minimizing nocturnal impacts on wildlife.

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

• Exterior lighting.

• Lighting for access easements.

• Exemptions:

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.

REQUIREMENTS.

SEC. 30-3 - Lighting Plans.

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

• Depict consistent illumination across parking and pedestrian facilities.

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

SEC. 30-4 – Outdoor Lighting Standards.

• Fully shielded lighting fixture.

Outdoor lighting shall be fully shielded fixtures.

STANDARDS.

SEC. 30-4 – Outdoor Lighting Standards.

• Kelvins.

Kelvin is the measured temperature of light. It is the scientific measurement for the color of the light itself. Higher numbers are not brighter.

SEC. 30-4 – Outdoor Lighting Standards.

• Maximum color temperature of 3000 Kelvin.

SEC. 30-4 – Outdoor Lighting Standards.

• Foot Candles.

A foot candle is a measurement of light intensity. It is the illuminance on a one-square foot surface from a uniform source of light.

SEC. 30-4 – Outdoor Lighting Standards.

• Light trespass shall not exceed 0.5 horizontal foot candles.

• Lumen.

A lumen measures the amount of brightness of a lightbulb. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the lightbulb. Watts is the energy used, lumens is the brightness.

SEC. 30-4 – Outdoor Lighting Standards.

• Maximum Lumens.

Nonresidential property shall not exceed 100,000 lumens per net acre.

Residential property shall not exceed 25,000 lumens per acre.

• 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.

All other lighting mounted on poles or structures within the property shall not exceed a mounting height of twenty-five (25) feet.

STANDARDS.

SEC. 30-4 – Outdoor Lighting Standards.

• Special Provisions.

Height of fixtures mounted on poles or structures.

Innovative lighting design that reduces light pollution.

Sec. 30-5. – 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.

RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT .

Sec. 30-6. - Non-conforming existing lighting.

All outdoor lighting installed prior to the effective date of this Article and does not comply with the regulations shall be governed by Article 4

STANDARDS.

QUESTIONS?

PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION

_ BOYD O. SEWE | APRIL 18TH 2024