(A) Illumination levels. Illumination levels shall be appropriate to the application. Illumination levels shall not be greater than is reasonably necessary for its purpose.
(B) Fixture design.
(1) Fixtures shall be of a type and design appropriate to the lighting application.
(2) For the lighting of predominantly horizontal surfaces, such as roadways, sidewalks, parking lots, and building entrances, fixtures shall be fully-shielded and aimed straight down,
(3) For the lighting of predominantly non-horizontal surfaces where downward, fully-shielded fixtures are impractical (e.g. facades, landscaping, monuments), fixtures shall be located, aimed, and shielded to avoid lighting nuisances and hazards and limit impacts on the night sky.
(4) Fixtures with the International Dark-Sky Association’s (IDA) seal of approval are preferred and strongly encouraged,
(C) Lamp correlated color temperature (CCT). Light sources shall have a “warm” CCT at or below 3000K, Higher CCTs include more blue light which has a negative impact on glare, human health, and the night sky.
(D) Lighting control.
(1) All lighting shall be located, aimed, designed, shielded, and maintained so as not to present a hazard to drivers or pedestrians by impairing their ability to safely travel and so as not to create a nuisance by projecting or reflecting objectionable light onto a neighboring use or property,
(2) The illumination projected from any use onto a residential use shall not exceed 0.1 footcandle, measured line-of-sight and from any point on the receiving residential property,
(3) The illumination projected from any property onto a non-residential use shall not exceed 1.0 footcandle, measured line-of-sight from any point on the receiving property.
(4) Vegetation screens shall not serve as the primary means for controlling glare. Glare control shall be achieved primarily using such means as fixture location, aiming, design, shielding, and illumination level.
(5) Lighting control for common space in multi-family residential and mixed-use developments that include residential use.
(a) While outdoor lighting might not be required to be installed in multi-family and mixed-use residential developments (i.e. apartment and condominium complexes), should a developer or property owner choose to include lighting it shall comply with this article.
(b) Directional fixtures such as floodlights, wall packs, and spotlights shall require approval from the Planning Board when going through the land development plan process or the Building Official when a new fixture is to be added to an existing use. Such fixtures shall conform to the following requirements:
1. They shall be directed, shielded, and installed so they do not project onto neighboring properties or public rights-of-way, create unacceptable glare from an adjacent residential unit or property, or have a significant impact on the night sky; and
2. They shall be aimed no more than 45 degrees from straight down.
(c) For multi-family residential developments outdoor lighting shall be extinguished nightly by 11 p.m. Exceptions include lighting of pedestrian pathways and sidewalks that grant access to dwellings and parking areas.
(d) For mixed-use developments, outdoor lighting shall be extinguished nightly by 11 p.m, or within one-half hour of the close of commercial uses on the property, whichever is later. Exceptions include lighting of pedestrian pathways and sidewalks that grant access to dwellings, and parking areas used by residents of the development.
(6) Non-residential lighting control.
(a) Directional fixtures such as floodlights, wall packs, and spotlights shall reguire approval from the Planning Board when going through development plan review process, or the Building Official when a new fixture is to be added to an existing use. Such fixtures shall conform to the following requirements:
1. They shall be directed, shielded, and installed so they do not project onto neighboring properties or public rights-of-way, create unacceptable glare from an adjacent residential property, or have a significant impact on the night sky; and
2. They shall be aimed no more than 45 degrees from straight down.
(b) With the exception of security lighting, all outdoor lighting for commercial, office, industrial, and institutional uses, including lighting for parking areas and vehicular and pedestrian ways shall be extinguished nightly within one-half hour of the close of the facility. When after-hours site security lighting is required, the use of motion-sensor controlled lighting is encouraged.
(c) Canopy lighting used at gas stations, drive throughs, hotel marquees, and the like shall be accomplished using flat-lens, fully-shielded fixtures aimed straight down.
(7) Streetlight control.
(a) This article shall apply to streetlights.
(b) Ornamental streetlights, as may be installed in a village center or residential neighborhood, shall have a minimal impact on the night sky due to uplight. Fixtures with the International Dark-Sky Association’s (IDA) seal of approval are preferred.
(c) Streetlight illumination level shall be appropriate for its context, with streetlights in residential neighborhoods being dimmer than streetlights on highly trafficked streets or in commercial areas.
(d) In appropriate locations and circumstances, the town may extinguish or dim streetlights after 11 p.m.
(E) Installation and maintenance.
(1) Electrical feeds for fixtures mounted on poles for the illumination of parking areas shall be run underground, not overhead.
(2) Poles supporting lighting fixtures for the illumination of parking areas and located directly behind parking spaces, shall be placed a minimum of five feet outside paved area, curbing, or tire stops, or on concrete pedestals at least 30 inches above the pavement, or suitably protected by other approved means.
(3) Fixtures shall not be mounted more than 20 feet above finished grade of the surface being illuminated, except that fixtures that are not fully shielded, if approved, shall not be mounted more than 16 feet above finished grade.
(4) Fixtures and ancillary equipment shall be maintained to always meet the requirements of this article.
(Ord. 2021-19, passed 11-15-21)