HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/18/2021 - Planning And Zoning Board - Supplemental Documents - Regular Meeting1
Katharine Claypool
From:Sharlene Manno
Sent:Wednesday, February 17, 2021 2:47 PM
To:Katharine Claypool
Subject:FW: [EXTERNAL] Exterior Lighting Standards for P&Z
Attachments:Ex Lighting P&Z.docx
Categories:P&Z
For the board.
Shar Manno
Manager, Customer Support
Community Development & Neighborhood Services
970.221.6767
smanno@fcgov.com
From: Kathleen Kilkelly <katzen2k@frii.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 2:38 PM
To: Sharlene Manno <smanno@fcgov.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Exterior Lighting Standards for P&Z
Hello,
I would greatly appreciate it if you could see that the Planning and Zoning members receive the attached comments
regarding the Exterior Lighting Standards Recommendations before their scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 18,
2021.
Thank you for your assistance,
Kathleen Kilkelly
920 Inverness Rd
Fort Collins, CO 80524
ITEM 4, CORRESPONDENCE 1
February 17, 2021
Planning and Zoning Board Members
City of Fort Collins, CO
Honorable Members,
I am writing to support the Exterior Lighting Standards Update Recommendations to the Land Use Code.
It is most certainly time to update the present Land Use Code standards of 1997. Much has changed since 1997:
the significant growth of the City of Fort Collins, our understanding of the importance of how light impacts the
quality of our night sky, the effect of light pollution on nature and the environment, and our improved ability to
measure and manage exterior light. Although there were amendments for residential and commercial
development approved in 2017, these proposed Recommendations improve both the process and the results.
Although I have lived outside the City, in Larimer County, for over 30 years, the influence of exterior light from
the City has had a significant influence on the quality of the night sky—as observed from my residence. I have
resided in the Fort Collins area for over 50 years, coming and going for international work. Each time I return,
after a few years outside the U.S., the increase in light pollution is easily observable and quite distressing to me.
When reviewing the Recommendations, the most significant revelation for me was that the ability to accurately
measure the impacts of exterior light is dramatically improved over existing standards. Data from the Case
Studies conducted were notable in the number of “unable to calculate”, “difficult to access”, “unknown”, and
“subjective” comments by the consultant. The combination of using the Model Lighting Ordinance, developed
by engineers, combined with standards of the International Night Sky Association, leads to significantly less
subjective and more accurate measurements. The use of BUG (Backlight, Uplight, Glare) with Total Site
Lumens provides a much more site/project specific analysis. Previous standards often seemed to produce over
lighting by treating every project site the same. The introduction of Lighting Context Area zones also increases
the site specificity and introduces the opportunity for more flexibility. This is particularly important for me with
regard to Natural Areas. The deleterious effects of light pollution on plants and animals are well documented.
While I realize that these Recommendations only apply to new commercial and multifamily developments, I
also feel that there needs to be a path to begin including already existing developments in order to bring about
significant improvements. I would also like to see some recognition that while each application is dealt with
individually, the long-term, cumulative effect should be considered. Alternative lighting options such as
dimmers, timers, and curfews might also be considered. Is it really necessary for hardscapes (especially parking
lots) to be fully illuminated after business hours and when commercial operations are closed? Another
important question remains concerning enforcement, especially residential lighting. Although some HOAs
include light restrictions, they are rarely enforced.
In summary, I would urge you to approve the Recommendations, as I believe they will lead to a much more
improved process; as well as a significantly better quality of life for residents and the environment.
Thank you for your attention,
Kathleen Kilkelly
920 Inverness Rd,
Ft. Collins, CO 80524
ITEM 4, CORRESPONDENCE 1