(a) Purpose. To create an attractive lighting system to enhance visibility and safety, while minimizing glare and contrast. To encourage exterior lighting that is functional, aesthetically pleasing and complimentary to the architectural style of buildings.
(b) Standards.
(1) Evaluation of exterior lighting. Exterior lighting shall be evaluated in the development review process to ensure that the functional and security needs of the project are met in a way that does not adversely affect the adjacent properties or neighborhood. The degree to which exterior night lighting affects a property owner or neighborhood will be examined considering the light source, level of illumination, hours of illumination and need for illumination in relation to the effects of the lighting on the adjacent property owners and the neighborhood.
(2) Light style. The style of lights shall be consistent with the style and character of architecture proposed on the site. Light fixtures that illuminate signage shall be compatible with the architecture of the building on which they are placed.
(3) Concealed light source. Light sources shall be concealed or shielded to the maximum extent feasible to minimize the potential for glare and unnecessary diffusion on adjacent property and away from the vision of passing motorists. All lights shall be directed downward and the light source shall be equipped with "cut-off" devices so that it will not be visible from any adjacent property and to ensure that ambient skyward light is eliminated. Accent and flagpole lighting shall be permitted to be directed upward as long as the light source is shielded and not visible from any adjacent property. Light fixtures installed under canopies, awnings, overhangs and the like shall be fully recessed.
(4) Hours of lighting operation. All parking lot lighting fixtures and exterior building lights, except those required for security purposes, shall be extinguished within one (1) hour after the end of business hours and remain extinguished until one (1) hour prior to the beginning of business hours. If a portion of a parking lot is used after dark, only that portion shall be lighted.
(5) Height standards for lighting.
a. Residential zoning districts. Light fixtures shall be mounted on concrete, fiberglass or painted metal poles no higher than sixteen (16) feet from the ground. Lighting mounted on a building or structure shall not exceed the height of the building or structure. Bollard-type lighting fixtures shall be between three (3) and four (4) feet high.
b. Non-residential zoning districts. Light fixtures shall be mounted on concrete, fiberglass or painted metal poles no higher than twenty-five (25) feet from the ground, unless a greater height, not to exceed the maximum building height in the applicable zone district, is approved by the variance process found in §9-3-90, Variance. Lighting mounted on a building or structure shall not exceed the height of the building or structure. Bollard-type lighting fixtures shall be between three (3) and four (4) feet high.
(6) Exemption for outdoor recreational uses. Because of their limited hours of operation and their unique requirements for nighttime visibility, ball diamonds, playing fields, tennis courts, and other similar outdoor recreational uses (both public and private, unless otherwise restricted by the Board of Trustees) shall be exempt from the general provisions of this Section. However, exterior lighting for such uses shall be extinguished no later than 11:00 p.m.
(Ord. 395 §3, 2016)