15.1.1 Purpose and intent.
The town desires to enhance the beauty of the area for its citizens, both during the day and at night. Outdoor lighting is required for the safety and beautification of the exterior environment during the night-time hours for various uses.
Nonresidential and multi-family buildings and projects, including outparcels, shall be designed to provide safe, comfortable, attractive, and efficient lighting for pedestrians and vehicles. Lighting shall be designed in a consistent and coordinated manner for the entire site. Lighting equipment shall be selected and located to be integrated with the exterior environment. The lighting and lighting fixtures shall be designed so as to enhance the visual impact of the project on the community or to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Lighting design and installation shall meet on-site lighting needs without intrusion on adjoining properties.
This sets forth criteria for the installation of exterior lighting visible from the exterior of buildings and structures, the purposes of which are as follows:
• Permit reasonable uses of outdoor lighting for night-time safety, utility, security, productivity, enjoyment, and commerce;
• Preserve and enhance public safety and security (i.e., deter crime);
• Support adequate traffic and pedestrian safety;
• Protect drivers from disabling glare thereby enhancing traffic safety;
• Provide consistent night-time illumination throughout the town thereby enhancing the town’s night-time character;
• Shield neighboring properties from nuisance glare and light trespass;
• Curtail light pollution to preserve the nighttime environment and
• Promote energy conservation through efficient lighting design and operation.
15.1.2 Application. The requirements of this shall apply to:
15.1.2.A. All nonresidential or multi-family development; and
15.1.2.B. All residential subdivision development
15.1.3 Exemptions.
15.1.3.1 The following activities are exempt from the requirements of this:
• Outdoor lights used for a temporary event; permitted through a temporary use permit.
• Outdoor lights used exclusively for recreational activities, concerts, plays, or other outdoor events that are open to the public, provided that the event or function meets all other applicable ordinance requirements; such lighting shall be located at least 50 feet from any adjoining residential district or use.
15.1.3.2 Outdoor lighting which is exempt from this shall only be illuminated while the activity takes place and during high traffic periods immediately before and after the event.
15.1.4 Lighting plan submission. A site lighting plan shall be required as part of the application review for all nonresidential and multi-family development areas proposed for illumination that is proposed to illuminate an area or facade fronting a road; where lighting equipment is proposed to be mounted within one mounting height of the property line, or where one or more pole-mounted luminaires are proposed. At a minimum, the submission shall contain the following.
15.1.4.1 Illuminance calculations. Provide a point-by-point footcandle array in a printable format with suitable resolution and font size to be legible on one or more 11 by 17 sheets of paper indicating the location and aiming of illuminating devices. The point spacing shall not be greater than five feet by five feet (greater spacing may be permitted for very large areas) with a numerical value for horizontal illuminance (Ehorz) at grade given for each point to the nearest 0.1 footcandle (fc).
Provide a second point-by-point array with the same calculation grid raised to five feet above grade with a numerical value for vertical illuminance (Evert) for each point to the nearest 0.1 fc. The direction of the calculation shall be selected to maximize approximation of illumination on pedestrian faces and/or demonstrate compliance with trespass restrictions as applicable.
For facade illumination projects, provide a vertical array showing the illumination values perpendicular to the plane of the array.
Provide a summary of all calculation points indicating compliance with all illumination criteria required by this in tabular form.
15.1.4.2 Luminaire schedule. Provide a tabular schedule of proposed luminaires keyed to the point-by-point with fixture description to define the fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, poles, raised foundations, and other devices. Indicate the light loss factor used for each type.
15.1.4.3 Catalog cut sheets. Provide product specification data from the manufacturer or electric utility and/or drawings and photometric report indicating the fixture BUG rating, cut-off classification, and a description such as decorative post top, wall pack, and the like.
15.1.4.4 Energy code summary. Submit a table indicating outdoor areas by type, applied metric (linear feet or square feet), allowable wattage, and proposed electric lighting load demonstrating compliance with North Carolina Energy Conservation Code, 2012 or latest edition.
15.1.4.5 Supplemental information. Any additional information that will help to inform the review and/or convey the intent such as topography plans, landscape planting plans, artistic rendering, and the like is encouraged.
15.1.5 Site lighting design requirements. Lighting shall be designed to sufficient levels to allow for safe use of a site while accenting key architectural elements and emphasizing landscape features. Light fixtures shall be designed as an integral design element that complements the design of the project. This can be accomplished through style, material, and/or color.
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), a not-for-profit professional organization of lighting practitioners has established recommended design standards for various lighting applications which should be followed within the context of other established town standards and customs. All lighting fixtures designed or placed so as to illuminate any portion of a site shall meet the following requirements.
15.1.5.1 Light source (lamp).
A. Preferred electric light sources are fluorescent, metal halide, or static white light emitting diodes (LED), with a correlated color temperature between 4000-5000K.
B. Color corrected high-pressure sodium is also acceptable.
C. Filament sources (incandescent, halogen, xenon) sources are discouraged due to the safety and aesthetic implications of these short-lived sources which also have poor efficacy.
D. Non color-corrected high-pressure sodium and low-pressure sodium lamps are expressly prohibited.
E. The same light source type must be used for the same or similar types of lighting on any one site throughout any development.
15.1.5.2 Luminaires (lighting fixtures).
A. The light source, or luminous area or aperture, of a luminaire shall be completely shielded behind an opaque housing and/or otherwise directed so that the light source is not visible from any street rights-of-way or adjoining properties. Full cutoff classification is preferred for all pole-mounted area lighting above 15 feet. Cutoff classification is preferred for pole-mounted lighting below 15 feet. Semi- cutoff classification is not permitted.
B. Canopy lighting fixtures should be completely recessed within the canopy. Similarly, in- grade luminaires shall be fully recessed into the finished grade. Open-structure canopies shall be designed to shield lighting equipment so the source is not visible from the roadway or adjacent property lines.
15.1.5.3 Fixture height. Lighting fixtures shall be a maximum of 40 feet in height within parking lots and shall be a maximum of 15 feet in height within non-vehicular pedestrian areas. This is inclusive of a raised base where provided. All light fixtures located within 50 feet of any residential use or residential property boundary shall not exceed 15 feet in height.
The UDO Administrator may allow fixtures above this height to provide internal lighting for stadiums, arenas, and similar facilities. All outdoor sports field and outdoor performance area lighting fixtures shall be equipped with a glare control package (louvers, shields, or similar devices). The fixtures must be aimed so that their concentrated beam spreads are directed and fall within the primary playing or performance area. The hours of operation for the lighting system for any game or event shall not exceed one hour after the end of the event.
15.1.5.4 Mounting. Refer to 15.1.6 for mounting restrictions as they relate to illumination levels. All light poles shall be round aluminum and rated for the total EPA of the attached luminaires at 100 mph winds with a 1.3 gust factor. Pole bases shall be installed with a concrete base. Base detailing shall be reviewed and sealed by a structural engineer registered in the state of North Carolina.
15.1.5.5 Limit lighting to periods of activity. The use of sensor technologies, timers, or other means to activate lighting during times when it will be needed may be required by the UDO Administrator to conserve energy, provide safety, and promote compatibility between different land uses.
15.1.5.6 Architectural facade lighting. Architectural facade lighting is required for all nonresidential or multi-family buildings fronting a right-of-way. Refer to 15.15 for quantitative lighting criteria. Refer to North Carolina Energy Conservation Code for maximum allowable wattage per LZ1 of this non-tradeable surface illumination. Light fixtures shall be carefully selected, located, aimed, and shielded so that light is directed only onto the building facade. Fixtures shall not be directed toward adjacent streets or properties. To the extent practicable, fixtures shall be mounted on the building, shielded, and directed downward to wash or graze the facade or roof with light. Luminaires used to uplight architectural elements, such as eaves, shall be adjustable and aimed to ensure concentrated beam falls fully on subject surface.
15.1.6 Design metrics.
15.1.6.1 Light loss factors. All illumination levels are intended as maintained, meaning that an appropriate light loss factor (LLF) must be applied to calculations to ensure that the light levels will be reasonably maintained over the life of the system. The most typical and recoverable light loss factors are lamp-lumen depreciation (LLD) and luminaire dirt depreciation (LDD) which must be considered. The LDD shall be considered to be 0.80 which assumes a moderately dirty environment, enclosed/ventilated luminaires, and maximum 36-month maintenance cycle. The LLD per source is as follows:
A. Metal halide: 0.70;
B. Color-corrected high-pressure sodium: 0.90;
C. Fluorescent: 0.95; and
D. Solid state (LED): 0.90, based on non-linear lumen depreciation over the L70 life of the LEDs assumed to be 50,000 hours.
The maximum LLF = 0.8 x LLD. For any design wishing to consider a different light loss factor, the technical justification and calculation must accompany the submittal.
15.1.6.2 Illumination levels. All site lighting shall be designed so that the level of illumination as measured in footcandles (fc) at any one point meets the standards in the table below.
Illuminance Criteria | ||||
Type of Lighting | Ehorz | Evert | Max: Avg | Avg: Min |
Illuminance Criteria | ||||
Type of Lighting | Ehorz | Evert | Max: Avg | Avg: Min |
Architectural facades1 | n/a | 2.0 - 4.0 | n/a | n/a |
Building entry/exit (avg.) | 1.0 - 1.5 | 0.4 - 0.8 | 3:1 | 2:1 |
Site gated entries (avg.) | 0.4 - 0.8 | 0.2 - 0.6 | 3:1 | 3:1 |
Canopy areas (avg., recreational) | 3.0 - 10 | 1.0 - 3.0 | 2:1 | 3:1 |
Parking lots, asphalt (min.) | 0.5 | 0.2 | 3.5:1 | 4:1 |
Parking lots, concrete (min.) | 1.0 | 0.5 | 3.5:1 | 4:1 |
Pathways within/adjacent to pkg (min.) | 1.0 | 0.5 | 3.5:1 | 4:1 |
Storage areas (avg., for security2) | 0.8 - 1.0 | 0.8 - 1.0 | 2:1 | 2:1 |
Plazas and exterior retail (avg.) | 0.6 - 1.0 | 0.2 - 0.4 | 2:1 | 2:1 |
Courtyards and landscaped gardens | 0.1 - 0.2 | 0.0 - 0.1 | 4:1 | 5:1 |
Notes: 1. Apply strategically to 10% of building face thus uniformity is not applicable. The intent is to highlight architectural features and entrances and maximize visual impact. 2. Temporary increases in illumination are permitted so long as the return to normal illumination is automatic such as by motion sensor. | ||||
15.1.7 Excessive illumination.
A. Lighting within any lot that unnecessarily illuminates and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of any other property is prohibited. Lighting unnecessarily illuminates another lot if it exceeds the requirements of this section.
B. All outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that the maximum illumination at the property line does not exceed the lesser of 0.5 fc horizontal and 0.1 fc vertical or 10% of average illuminance for the site on neighboring residential sites.
C. All outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that illuminance at the property line does not exceed the lesser of 1.0 fc horizontal and 0.5 fc vertical or 50% of the average illuminance for the site on neighboring commercial sites and public rights-of-way.
D. BUG ratings: Free-standing luminaires (bollards, pole-mounted, and the like) shall be installed and oriented in accordance with the respective photometric data and shall have a glare rating of not more than two. Uplight ratings greater than one will be allowed only by special permission. The backlight component shall be not more than two where located within one mounting height of the property line.
E. Lighting mounted to structures located in proximity to roadways shall be selected, oriented, and shielded as required to focus the concentrated beam away from streets to avoid distraction or interference with the vision of drivers on such streets.
F. Fixtures used to accent architectural features, landscaping, or art shall be located, aimed, and/or shielded to eliminate light spilling onto roadways, adjacent properties, or into the night sky.
G. Blinking or flashing lights shall be prohibited unless the lights are required as a safety feature (e.g., beacons on towers) or shall be permitted as part of a sign in accordance with Article 13, Signs.
15.1.8 Nonconforming lighting. Lighting fixtures existing as of the date of the adoption of this section, may remain, and shall be considered pre-existing luminaires. Modifications, replacement, or expansions shall conform to the standards of this ordinance. This does not apply to routine maintenance of the fixtures.
(Ord. passed 2-3-2021)