(a) Whenever the installation or modification of outdoor lighting is part of a development that requires site plan approval, the Planning Commission shall review and approve all proposed lighting as part of its site plan approval process.
(1) Lighting plan contents. A lighting plan submitted for review shall contain the following:
A. A site plan showing the location of all existing and proposed buildings, zoning, landscaping, streets, drives, parking areas and exterior lighting fixtures.
B. Specifications for all proposed and existing lighting fixtures including photometric data, fixture height, mounting and design, glare control devices, type and color rendition of lamps, and hours of operation. A photometric plan illustrating the levels of illumination at ground level shall account for all light sources that impact the subject site, including light trespass from and to neighboring properties. This information may be deferred to the final site plan if the site is not adjacent to a residential district.
C. Relevant building elevation drawing showing all fixtures, the portions of the walls to be illuminated, luminance levels of walls and the aiming points of any remote fixtures.
D. A photometric analysis of the proposed lighting plan using standards established by the Engineering Department.
E. Other information necessary to meet this ordinance's requirements as determined by the Planning Commission or the Director of Planning.
(2) Lighting plan approval criteria. A proposed lighting plan shall be reviewed based upon the following considerations:
A. Whether the lighting is designed to minimize glare;
B. Whether the light will be directed beyond the boundaries of the area to be illuminated or onto adjacent properties or streets;
C. Whether the lighting will cause negative impacts on residential districts and uses;
D. Whether the plan will achieve appropriate levels of illumination for the use proposed, as required by this Ordinance;
E. Whether the lighting is in harmony with the character of the surrounding area and the illumination levels of neighboring properties; and
F. Whether the lighting is in keeping with the City's goal of prohibiting unnecessary illumination of the night sky.
(3) Design standards. When site plan approval is required for the installation or modification of exterior lighting, the following conditions shall apply:
A. Light fixtures shall not be mounted in excess of the maximum height limitation of the district in which they are located. For lighting in residential districts and for uses adjacent to a residential district or use, light fixtures shall not be mounted in excess of 25 feet above grade. Fixture height shall be measured from the grade of the illuminated surface to the top of the fixture.
B. Electrical service to the light fixtures shall be placed underground.
C. No flashing or moving lights shall be permitted.
D. Glare control shall be accomplished primarily through the proper selection and application of lighting equipment. Only after those means have been exhausted shall landscaping, fencing and similar screening methods be considered acceptable means for reducing glare.
E. Outdoor lighting shall be designed to achieve uniform illumination levels. The ratio of the average light level of the surface being lit to the lowest light level of the surface being lit, measured in foot-candles, shall not exceed a ratio of 4-to-1. In no case shall the maximum to minimum light levels exceed a ratio of 10-to-1 between any 2 points on a lot.
F. Outdoor lighting shall be designed to present a uniform color temperature on a site, building or development insofar as the lighting shall have a color temperature of 3500 degrees Kelvin (K) or less.
G. Lighting for security purposes and limited operations shall be maintained after hours of operation between 0.2 foot-candles and the minimum permitted in Table 9.
H. Lighting for security purposes shall be directed only onto the area to be secured:
1. All fixtures shall be located, shielded and aimed so that light is not cast toward adjacent properties or streets or unnecessarily transmitted into the night sky.
2. Fixtures mounted on the building and designed to illuminate the facade are preferred.
I. Parking lot lighting shall be designed to provide the minimum illumination necessary to ensure adequate vision and comfort in parking areas. Fully shielded fixtures shall be used to prevent glare and direct illumination away from adjacent properties and streets. Designs that result in even levels of illumination across a parking area are preferred.
J. The illumination of vehicle fueling stations, drive through operations (areas directly associated with the drive through itself, not the entire use or property) and convenience stores shall not exceed 10 foot-candles as measured at any one point. Excessive lighting for the purposes of attraction and advertising shall not be permitted.
K. Areas not associated with fuel pump islands or drive throughs such as those used for parking and vehicle storage shall be illuminated in accordance with the parking area requirements of subsection (a)(3)N.
L. Light fixtures mounted on canopies shall be recessed or flush with the bottom of the canopy. Where a drop-down fixture is used, the lens shall be flush with (i.e., no more than one inch beyond) the casing so that light is directed down and not sideways. All canopy lighting shall be shielded to provide a cut-off angle of 85 degrees. Fixtures shall not be mounted on the top or sides of canopies.
M. The illumination of canopy sides shall be prohibited.
N. The following illumination levels shall act as minimum standards for all exterior lighting. Maximum lighting will be governed by the 4-to-1 ratio of average to minimum illumination of the surface being lit standards identified in subsection (a)(3)E. above; in no case shall the maximum lighting level exceed the maximum identified in the table below. Where a site abuts a nonresidential district, maximum illumination at the property line shall not exceed 1 foot-candle. The Director of Planning or Planning Commission, as applicable, may modify these levels or place conditions on their application (e.g., the installation of screening such as an open buffer, landscaping, wall, or fence) if such modifications are deemed necessary and appropriate for the use and surrounding area.
Table 9. Illumination Standards to Areas within the Site Plan
Minimum Illumination* | Maximum Illumination* | |
(measured in foot-candles) | ||
Parking lots and associated circulation areas | 0.4 | 6.0 |
Loading areas | 0.4 | 6.0 |
Walkways | 0.2 | 2.0 |
Outdoor display and sales areas | 0.4 | 6.0 |
Primary Building Entrances - designed for public use | 1.0 | 5.0 |
Secondary Building Entrances - designed for service and delivery | 0.2 | 5.0 |
*The illumination measured in foot-candles at ground level. The minimum illumination during non-business hours shall be 0.2 foot-candles. | ||
O. Where a site abuts a residential district or use, the following special conditions shall apply:
1. The height of light fixtures shall not exceed the maximum height prescribed in subsection (a)(3)A.
2. All fixtures shall be fully shielded.
3. No direct light source shall be visible at the property line (adjacent to residential) at ground level.
4. Maximum illumination at the property line shall not exceed 0.5 foot-candles.
For the purposes of this ordinance, the O-R, Office- Residential District shall be considered a residential district due to its status as a transition between more intensive retail and residential districts.
P. The Planning Commission may choose to waive or alter fully shielded light fixture requirements of this section when appropriate historic or decorative fixtures are proposed (e.g., the use of decorative up-lighting to illuminate the underside of a canopy or columns on a facade, where a canopy or roof projection restricts the projection of the light into the night sky).
(Ord. 0-15-4. Passed 2-19-15.)