(a) Purpose. The intent of this Section is to require and set minimum standards for outdoor lighting to:
(1) Provide lighting in outdoor public places where public health, safety and welfare are potential issues.
(2) Protect drivers and pedestrians from the glare of non-vehicular light sources that shine into their eyes and thereby impair safe traverse.
(3) Protect residential properties from nuisance glare and light trespass from poorly shielded, aimed, placed, applied or maintained light sources.
(4) Protect and retain the established character of the City of Trenton.
(b) Applicability. These lighting standards shall apply as follows:
(1) Site Plan Review Projects. All nonresidential and multifamily development projects required to submit a site plan review as provided in Section 1266.01
(a).
A. A lighting plan containing the information set forth in this Section shall be submitted as part of the site plan review.
(2) Existing Uses. Any existing nonresidential or multifamily use installing new outdoor lighting fixtures or the replacement of existing outdoor fixtures. Replacement of a fixture shall mean a change of fixture type or change to the mounting height or location of the fixture. Routine lighting maintenance, such as changing lamps or light bulbs, ballast, starter, photo control, housing, lenses, and other similar components, shall not constitute replacement and shall be permitted, provided such changes do not result in a higher lumen output.
A. Applicants for all qualifying existing uses under this Subsection shall submit a lighting plan to the Zoning Administrator for review and approval. Such plan shall contain the information required under this Section and must show that the applicable lighting standards have been satisfied.
B. If the proposed new or modified lighting improvements meet the standards of this Section, the Zoning Administrator shall approve the plan.
(c) Exemptions. These outdoor lighting standards shall not apply to:
(1) Public Street Lights.
(2) Temporary lighting fixtures for the purpose of performing night time road construction work on major thoroughfares.
(3) Holiday lighting fixtures and displays.
(4) Temporary lighting used for construction with an approved building permit.
(d) Lighting Plan Contents. All required lighting plans shall contain the following plan elements:
(1) Submit a photometric analysis prepared by a lighting engineer showing point-by-point lighting levels in foot candles at grade level for the entire project property and ten feet (10'0") beyond the project property lines.
(2) Identify the location and type of all proposed new or modified light poles and or fixtures.
(3) The point by point photometric analysis shall provide lighting levels at a maximum of ten foot (10'0") intervals.
(4) The photometric schedule shall represent the lighting and calculations in an area equal to 80% of the useable parking area.
(5) The photometric calculations shall be scheduled on the plan to illustrate the following:
A. Average to Minimum.
B. Maximum to Minimum.
C. Average Foot candles.
D. Minimum Foot candles.
(e) Outdoor Lighting Design Standards.
(1) Lighting must be placed and shielded so as to direct the light onto the site and away from adjoining properties. The lighting source shall not be directly visible from adjoining properties. Non-cutoff light fixtures shall be prohibited.
(2) Illumination Standards. Sidewalks and parking areas located on site shall be properly lighted to facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles and provide a secure environment.
A. In all parking areas, the minimum foot candles shall be 1.0 foot-candle and maintain an average light level of 1.0 foot candles to 3.0 foot candles.
B. In outdoor pedestrian areas, a minimum of 2.0 foot candles shall be maintained.
C. Lighting levels shall not exceed 0.5 foot candles at any common property line with property zoned for or used for residential uses.
(3) Height. Needs for outdoor lighting vary per use. Planning Commission shall approve, amend, deny or request additional information for submitted plans as follows:
A. Residential zone uses.
1. Twenty feet maximum: Single family and two family units. This does not require Planning Commission approval.
2. Twenty feet maximum: Publicly-owned and operated buildings and facilities, places of worship, public parks, playgrounds, communitycenters, multi-family residential buildings or other similar uses as determined by the Zoning Administrator and approved by the Planning Commission.
3. Primary, intermediate and/or secondary schools and public park parking lots- Reviewed by Staff and the City Engineer and presented to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission has the discretion to determine the final maximum height for outdoor lighting based on the following:
a. The height requested by the applicant; and,
b. The reviews of the City Engineer and City Staff; and,
c. The direct or indirect impact such lighting would have in relation to 1266.04(a) of this section.
B. Commercial zone uses.
1. Twenty feet maximum.
C. Industrial zone uses.
1. Reviewed by Staff and the City Engineer and presented to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission has the discretion to determine the final maximum height for outdoor lighting based on the following:
a. The height requested by the applicant; and,
b. The reviews of the City Engineer and City Staff; and,
c. The direct or indirect impact such lighting would have in relation to 1266.04(a) of this section.
(4) Placement. Any freestanding light pole and fixture shall be placed a minimum of 10 feet from any property line when proposed to be located adjacent to a residential land use or property zoned for residential uses. There shall be no setback requirements for any freestanding light poles and fixtures when abutting any non-residential land use.
(f) Post Installation Inspection. The Zoning Administrator reserves the right to conduct a post-installation night time inspection to verify compliance with these lighting requirements, and if appropriate, to require remedial action at no expense to the City of Trenton utilizing the zoning violation enforcement procedure set forth in this Zoning Code. A note to that effect shall be placed on the lighting plan.
(Ord. 02-2018. Passed 1-18-18; Ord. 07-2020. Passed 5-7-2020.)