A. Applicability. The reviewing authority shall review plans for illumination of parking areas for any development plan involving new lighting or changes to existing lighting, other than for single-family or two-family residential dwellings or residential accessory buildings, as provided in this Section.
B. Exterior Lighting Plan Required. A lighting plan shall demonstrate compliance with the exterior lighting standards of this Section and shall include the following items:
1. A site plan to scale of no less than 1 inch = 30 feet showing location of all exterior light fixtures, controllers and transformers. Include property boundaries, building location(s), parking lot layout, pedestrian paths, adjacent rights-of-way, north arrow and scale.
2. Specifications, cut sheets and/or drawings for all exterior light fixtures, poles, conduit and appurtenant construction. A description of any dimming systems or other proposed lighting controls.
3. A photometric plan defining the limits of each lighting calculation area where illumination is proposed plotting the light levels in footcandles on the ground. The limits of each lighting calculation area shall be clearly indicated by a solid line boarder, shading or other clear method. Maximum illuminance levels should be expressed in footcandle measurements to the nearest 0.1 footcandle on a grid of the site showing footcandle readings at no greater than a 10-foot square. The grid shall include light contributions from all sources on the site (i.e. pole mounted, wall mounted, and sign). Show footcandle readings five feet beyond the property lines.
4. A calculation summary indicating footcandle levels on the photometric plan, noting the minimum, maximum and average footcandles; light loss factor; and uniformity ratios for each lighting calculation area. Include in the summary lamp wattages of all proposed luminaires and mounting heights of fixtures.
5. Any other information and data reasonably necessary to evaluate the required lighting plan.
C. Fixtures. Exterior lighting fixtures shall be installed in a manner to prevent light pollution in the forms of light trespass and glare and to preserve, protect and enhance the character of the City.
1. Full Cut-off Required. All exterior pole lighting fixtures used to illuminate off-street parking areas shall be full cut-off and shall be arranged to deflect the light away from adjoining properties and adjacent streets. Exterior building lighting fixtures used to illuminate sidewalks, entrances and service areas shall also be full-cut off fixtures.
2. Canopy Lighting. Light fixtures mounted under canopies shall be recessed with flat lenses so that the lens cover is flush with the bottom surface of the canopy. Alternately, indirect lighting may be used where light is reflected down from the bottom of the canopy. In this case, light fixtures must be shielded so that direct illumination is focused exclusively on the underside of the canopy.
3. Nonessential Lighting. Nonessential lighting for other areas may be installed upon approval of the reviewing authority. This shall include landscape lighting, accent lighting of the structure, sign lighting, decorative lighting and lighting for similar purposes. Light fixtures used to illuminate flags, statues or any other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal or platform shall use a narrow cone beam or light that will not extend beyond the illuminated object. For upward-direct architectural, landscape and decorative lighting, direct light emission shall not be visible above the building line roof.
4. Prohibited Lighting. No flickering or flashing light shall be permitted, except for temporary holiday decorations. The installation of any light fixture not specifically approved as part of a development plan is strictly forbidden.
D. Luminaire Location and Height. Parking lot illumination is subject to the following requirements.
1. Required Setbacks.
2. The reviewing authority may require lower mounting heights if the adjoining grade is lower than developed grade
3. Concrete pedestals a minimum of 30 inches high shall be installed for all light poles in or within five (5) feet of the parking lot.
E. Illumination Levels. All owners of commercial, industrial, mixed use and multi-family property located in the City of North Olmsted shall meet the requirements of this Section.
1. Measurement. The average and maximum illumination levels shall not exceed that permitted for each lighting calculation area type. A lighting calculation area shall be defined as any area where the illumination level equals or exceeds 0.2 footcandle. A light lost factor (LLF) as recommended by the manufacturer subject to approval by the city may be applied to all calculations. A permanent dimming system or other permanent controls may be used to reduce the illumination level of any fixture in order to meet the required illumination levels; however, in no case shall the dimming system or other control be permitted to reduce the illumination level of any fixture more than 15% in order to meet the required illumination levels during normal business hours.
2. Light Trespass. Lighting intensity shall not exceed zero (0) foot candles at the property line when abutting residentially zoned land. All on-site lighting of buildings, lawns, parking areas and signs shall be designed so as not to shine onto any adjacent residential property or building, or to cause glare onto any public street or vehicle thereon.
3. Required Illumination Levels. Lighting shall be designed to provide even distribution of illumination and to avoid creating hot spots. Maximum average illumination levels are provided in Table 1161.10-2:
4. Exemptions. Because of their unique requirements for providing greater night-time visibility, their need to ensure public safety, and their limited hours of operation; stadiums (which include ball diamonds, playing fields and tennis courts) are exempted from the exterior lighting standards as specified above. A lighting plan for stadiums shall be established at the time that the request for exterior lighting is made and shall be subject to reviewing authority approval.
F. Lighting Essential to Safety. Lighting not essential to safety of the public and employees shall be terminated when the site is not occupied. For facilities that are occupied between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following morning, the lighting designer shall submit a plan disclosing a 50% reduction in lighting levels with emphasis on terminating lighting in parking areas that will not be reasonably used during these hours.
(Ord. 2017-32. Passed 5-2-17.)