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Howell, MI, Code of Ordinances
CODE OF ORDINANCES
CERTIFICATION
DIRECTORY OF OFFICIALS (2023)
COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
CHARTER
PART TWO - ADMINISTRATION CODE
PART FOUR - TRAFFIC CODE
PART SIX - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
PART EIGHT - BUSINESS REGULATION AND TAXATION CODE
PART TEN - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART TWELVE - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART FOURTEEN - BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE
PART SIXTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
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• Section 8.05 Glare and Exterior Lighting.
   (a)   Intent. The intent of this Section is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public by recognizing that buildings and sites need to be illuminated for safety, security, and visibility for pedestrians and motorists. To do so, this Section provides standards for various forms of lighting that will: minimize light pollution and light trespass (i.e. "sky glow"), minimize the intrusion of excess lighting levels into residential neighborhoods, conserve electrical energy, and curtail the degradation of the nighttime visual environment.
   (b)   Exterior Lighting From Direct Sources. Subject to the provisions set forth herein, all parking areas, walkways, driveways, building entryways, off-street parking and loading areas and building complexes with common areas, shall be sufficiently illuminated to ensure the security of property and the safety of persons using such public or common areas. Additionally, the following standards shall apply:
      (1)   Only non-glare, color-corrected lighting (such as metal halide fixtures) shall be permitted to maintain a unified lighting standard throughout the City and prevent "sky glow".
      (2)   Lighting shall utilize full cut-off shielding to prevent the lamp from extending beyond the light fixture, and the illumination shall be downward directed to prevent off-site glare.
 
      (3)   Light intensity shall not exceed one (1) foot- candle when measured at the property line and five (5) feet above grade. However, light intensity shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles when measured at the property line and five (5) feet above grade if the property abuts a residentially zoned and/or used parcel.
      (4)   Running, chasing or otherwise intermittent lighting shall be prohibited. However, this shall not be considered to include LED type lighting when permitted as a part of a sign (see Article 7).
      (5)   Lighting fixtures shall not exceed a height of twenty-five (25) feet or twenty (20) feet when adjacent to areas zoned and/or used for residential purposes. However, the Planning Commission and/or Zoning Administrator may consider increased height when all other ordinance provisions are satisfied.
      (6)   All lighting, including ornamental lighting, shall be shown on site plans in sufficient detail to allow determination of the effects of such lighting upon adjacent properties and traffic safety.
      (7)   The Planning Commission may require decorative light fixtures as an alternative to shielded fixtures where it will be compatible with the traditional City character of the surrounding area. In this case, it must be proven that there will be no offsite glare.
      (8)   All outdoor lighting installed and maintained upon private property within any non-residential district shall be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise. However, for uses that continue after 11:00 p.m., the lights shall be dimmed to a level necessary for security purposes only. The modified level shall be at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator while input may be sought from the Planning Commission.
   (c)   Light and Glare From Indirect Sources.
      (1)   Glare from any process (such as or similar to arc welding or acetylene torch cutting) which emits harmful ultraviolet rays shall be performed in such a manner as not to be seen from any point beyond the property line, and as not to create a public nuisance or hazard along lot lines.
      (2)   The design and/or screening of the development shall ensure that glare from automobile and commercial or industrial vehicle headlights shall not be directed into any adjacent property, particularly residential property.
      (3)   Exterior doors shall be located, operated and maintained so as to prevent any glare and light from creating a nuisance or safety hazard to operators of motor vehicles, pedestrians, and neighboring land uses.
   (d)   Prohibited Lighting Elements.
      (1)   The internal illumination of translucent building-mounted canopies/awnings.
      (2)   Indirect illumination of buildings and signs that utilize halogen bulbs in excess of 120-watts (1800 lumens) or compact fluorescent bulbs in excess of 42 watts (3200 lumens).
      (3)   The use of laser light sources, searchlights, or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertisement or entertainment.
      (4)   Luminous tube and exposed bulb fluorescent lighting.
   (e)   Exemptions. The following are exempt from the lighting requirements of this Section, except that the Zoning Administrator may take steps to eliminate the impact of the exempted items when deemed necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public:
      (1)   Holiday decorations
      (2)   Window displays without glare
      (3)   Shielded pedestrian walkway lighting
      (4)   Residential lighting with no off-site glare
   (f)   Submittal Requirements. The following information must be included for all site plan submissions and where site plan approval is not required, some or all of the items may be required at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator prior to lighting installation:
      (1)   Location of all freestanding, building-mounted, and canopy light fixtures on the site plan and building elevations.
      (2)   Photometric grid overlaid on the proposed site plan indicating the overall light intensity throughout the site (in foot-candles).
      (3)   Specifications and details for the type of fixture being proposed, including the total lumen output, type of lamp, and method of shielding.
      (4)   Any other information deemed necessary by the Zoning Administrator to determine compliance with provisions of this Article.
• Section 8.06 Use, Storage and Handling of Hazardous Substance; Storage and Disposal of Solid, Liquid, and Sanitary Waste.
   (a)   It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or other legal entity to pollute, impair or destroy the air, water, soils or other natural resources within the City of Howell through the use, storage and handling of hazardous substances and/or waste or the storage and disposal of solid, liquid, gaseous and/or sanitary waste.
   (b)   Any person, firm, corporation or other legal entity operating a business or conducting an activity which uses, stores or generates hazardous substances shall obtain the necessary permits and/or licenses from the appropriate Federal, State or local authority having jurisdiction. The City shall be informed of any and all inspections conducted by a Federal, State or local authority in connection with a permit and/or license.
   (c)   Any person, firm, corporation or other legal entity operating a business or conducting an activity which uses, stores or generates hazardous substances shall complete and file a Hazardous Chemicals Survey on a form supplied by the City in conjunction with the following:
      (1)   Upon submission of a site plan.
      (2)   Upon any change of use or occupancy of a structure or premise.
      (3)   Upon any change of the manner in which such substances are used, handled, or stored, and/or in the event of a change in the type of substances to be used, handled, or stored.
   (d)   All businesses and facilities which use, store, or generate hazardous substances in quantities greater than one hundred (100) kilograms per month (equal to or greater than twenty five (25) gallons or two hundred-twenty (220) pounds) shall comply with the following standards:
      (1)   Above-Ground Storage, Use and Handling Areas for Hazardous Substances.
         A.   Secondary containment of hazardous substances and polluting materials shall be provided. Secondary containment shall be sufficiently impervious to contain the substance for the maximum anticipated period of time necessary for the recovery of any released substance.
         B.   Outdoor storage of hazardous substances and polluting materials shall be prohibited except in product-tight containers that are protected from weather, leakage, accidental damage and vandalism. Containers shall not be stacked more than two (2) high, shall be orderly, not less than thirty (30) feet from the lot line, and shall not obstruct ingress or egress.
         C.   Secondary containment structures such as out-buildings, storage rooms, sheds and pole barns shall not have floor drains. Materials shall be kept in an orderly fashion, shall not be stacked within four (4) feet of the ceiling and stored in a manner that shall not obstruct access.
         D.   Areas and facilities for loading/unloading of hazardous substances and polluting materials, as well as areas where such materials are stored, handled and used, shall be designed and constructed to prevent discharge or runoff.
      (2)   Underground Storage Tanks. Existing and new underground storage tanks shall be registered, installed, operated, maintained, and removed in accordance with requirements of the appropriate Federal, State or local authority having jurisdiction and shall not contaminate the sanitary sewer system, storm drains, surface water, groundwater, or soils.
      (3)   Loading and Unloading Areas. Areas used for the loading and unloading of hazardous substances shall be designed and constructed to prevent the harmful release to the environment of hazardous materials that may be spilled, leaked, or vented.
   (e)   All site plans for businesses or facilities which use, store or generate hazardous substances shall be reviewed by the Fire Department, City Engineer and any other appropriate experts as determined necessary by the Planning Commission prior to approval by the Planning Commission.
• Section 8.07 Fire Hazard.
   The storage and handling of flammable liquids, liquefied petroleum gases and explosives shall comply with all applicable State rules and regulations.
• Section 8.08 Safety.
   Existing or potential hazards and nuisances, such as construction sites, junk yards, demolition sites, unused basements, abandoned wells or cisterns are to be enclosed by suitable fencing or barriers so as not to endanger public health, safety and welfare. Compliance is required with all applicable State rules and regulations.
• Section 8.09 Open Storage Enclosures.
   The Planning Commission, in its sole discretion, may require the screening of open storage of industrial equipment, vehicles and materials that are visible from any adjacent property and/or public street. When considering the requirement for screening, the Planning Commission shall consider the visual effect of open storage on any adjacent residentially zoned or used properties. Screening of all visible portions of open storage shall be in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 5.10.
ARTICLE 9
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD)
• Section 9.01 Intent.
   Planned unit development (PUD) regulations are intended to provide for various types of land uses planned in a manner which shall encourage the use of land in accordance with its character and adaptability; conserve natural resources and energy; encourage innovation in land use planning; provide enhanced housing, employment, shopping and recreational opportunities; improve traffic and pedestrian circulation; and bring about a greater compatibility of design and use.
   The provisions of this article provide enabling authority and standards for the submission, review and approval of applications for planned unit developments.
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